Infectious diseases have been known to be the cause and effect of kidney diseases for a long time. Kidney damage occurs through direct invasion or via immune-mediated injury. Patients with underlying kidney diseases, including kidney transplant recipients, are known to have a greater chance of serious and atypical infections. Interestingly, the spectrum of infections and kidney diseases varies widely across the world. Kidney diseases depend on local epidemiological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Immune diseases caused by infections are still rampant in many parts of the world with very little data directing their treatment protocols.
The development of highly effective therapies for treating infections has also led to increased utilization of organs from donors with infections such as hepatitis B and C.
In this special issue of Kidney News, we highlight the interesting spectrum of infections and kidney diseases around the world.
