Publication:

Renal involvement in COVID-19: a review report

COVID-19 is recent emerging pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome- Coronavirus). It is seen mainly affecting lungs, but many recent studies have shown involvement of hematological, kidney, gastrointestinal and other systems. In kidneys it mainly affects the tubules and interstitial areas. The main pathology behind involvement of renal system in COVID-19 is due to presence of ACE 2 receptors in proximal tubules. These receptors are same like that found in lungs and they form binding sites for coronavirus and hence causing the disease. Therefore, patients presenting with raised serum urea and creatinine should be checked for potential renal damage caused by virus and their urine samples should also be tested for presence of coronavirus. Effective testing and prompt management will prevent this virus from being transmitted in community.