Hypokalemic nephropathy - a clue to cystogenesis?

Article Abstract:

Potassium deficiency or hypokalemia has been associated with decreased ability of the kidney to concentrate urine, increased kidney excretion of acid, and the long-term development of metabolic alkalosis, or increased blood pH. These effects of potassium depletion are similar to those produced during metabolic acidosis, and include increased hydrogen ion levels in the cell, ammonia production, hydrogen ion transport, retention of citrate, and increased size of certain kidney cells. This suggests that the cell pH or cell hydrogen ion concentration may trigger the changes caused by hypokalemia. Potassium deficiency also causes characteristic physical changes in the kidney tissue, such as the formation of fluid- or air-filled clear spaces within certain kidney cells, dilatation or widening of the proximal tubules, and inflammation and fibrosis, the development of fiber-like tissue. A recent study showed that long-term potassium deficiency was associated with the formation of cysts within the kidney. It is possible that several cell processes associated with potassium deficiency, such as increased ion transport and ammonia production, may be important in triggering cell growth and cyst formation. Potassium deficiency may serve as a model for the study of the relation between kidney function, growth, and cyst development. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

editorial, Hypokalemia, Kidney, Cystic, Cystic kidney

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Brief report: idiotypic IgA nephropathy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

Two young men infected with HIV were diagnosed with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Ig A nephropathy is a kidney disorder that is caused by deposition of IgA immune complexes in the kidney. Ig A is an antibody that binds to HIV virus as part of the body's defense against the infection. Both patients were young, homosexual men with HIV infection who had foamy urine with blood and abnormally high levels of protein. IgA immune complexes were found in the circulating blood of both patients. One patient also had circulating IgG immune complexes, and the other had circulating IgM complexes. A kidney biopsy from both of the patients revealed deposition of IgA and HIV in their kidney tissue. Deposition of immune complexes caused the kidney inflammation that these patients experienced. Several different kidney disorders have been associated with HIV infection.

Case studies, Complications and side effects, Immune complex diseases

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Nephropathy and establishment of a renal reservoir of HIV type 1 during primary infection

Article Abstract:

HIV can infect the kidneys and remain there even when patients take AIDS drugs. This can happen early in the infection, as demonstrated by the case of a 35-year-old man who was found to have an HIV-induced kidney disease at the time he tested positive for HIV.

Complications

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