Mesoamerican Endemic Nephropathy (MeN): A Disease Reported in Adults That May Start Since Childhood?

Mesoamerican endemic nephropathy (MeN) is a type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of uncertain etiology that occurs along the Pacific coast of the southern part of Mexico and Central America. During the past 20 years MeN has become a leading cause of death in the region, clamming close to 50,000 lives, with 40% of these deaths occurring in young people. The cause remains unknown, but most researchers believe in a multifactorial etiology that includes social determinants of poverty. Existing evidence suggests that subclinical kidney injury begins early in life and leads to a higher than expected prevalence of CKD among children in Central America. Access to health services in the region, specifically kidney replacement therapy, remains limited. We proposed a strategy to address the perceived needs and urge coordinated efforts of governments, academic organizations, and international bodies to develop a comprehensive plan of action to mitigate this situation among the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged population.

Update on endemic nephropathies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A large number of patients worldwide suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown cause. Endemic nephropathies possibly contribute to this. The purpose of this review is to give a brief review of endemic nephropathies and to summarize what is known about their cause. RECENT FINDINGS: The cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy was eventually resolved, after 50 years of research. The cause was exposure to aristolochic acid from food. A new type of endemic nephropathy has recently been identified in Central America; Mesoamerican nephropathy. This kidney disease mainly affects agricultural workers in hot climates. Renal biopsy studies suggest that repeated dehydration and kidney ischemia is involved in the pathogenesis. SUMMARY: Endemic nephropathies may comprise an important cause of CKD. Epidemiological studies are needed to describe the occurrence and distribution of the diseases. However, biopsy studies, in combination with careful clinical evaluation of the patients, are necessary to find out the cause of endemic nephropathies and thereby help in their prevention.

Chronic kidney disease associated with environmental toxins and exposures.

People are exposed to various potentially toxic agents and conditions in their natural and occupational environments. These agents may be physical or chemical, may enter the human body through oral, inhalational, or transdermal routes, and may exert effects on all organ systems. Several well-known as well as lesser known associations exist between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and both environmental agents and conditions, such as heavy metals, industrial chemicals, elevated ambient temperatures, and infections. The effects of these agents may be modulated by genetic susceptibility and other comorbid conditions and may lead to the development of acute and CKD. In this article, we present environmental factors that are associated with CKD.

Rim e hipertensão / Kidney and hypertension

O rim participa do controle da pressão arterial normal e anormalidades da capacidade renal de excretar sódio desempenham papel importante na manutenção de todos os tipos de hipertensão. Existem evidências de que pelo menos alguns casos de hipertensão essencial tenham sua origem em distúrbios dos mecanismos renais de eliminar sódio. Por outro lado, quase todos os pacientes com doença renal apresentam hipertensão em algum momento de sua evolução. Nesse contexto, a hipertensão acelera a evolução da nefropatia e das lesões extra-renais, enquanto o controle da pressão arterial melhora o prognóstico renal e diminui a mortalidade desses pacientes. Controle rígido da pressão arterial é fundamental para reduzir a incidência de insuficiência renal e a progressão e a mortalidade associadas a doenças renais...

Epidemiology and etiology of bladder cancer.

The incidence of bladder cancer continues to increase, with an estimated 53,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States in 1996-90% of which are transitional cell carcinomas. The male-to-female ratio is 3:1. A number of etiological factors are associated with the development of bladder cancer, but in industrialized countries, cigarette smoking is the most important. Specific chemicals have also been identified as causing bladder cancer, as have a number of occupational exposures to less well-defined specific agents. Treatment with cytostatic drugs, especially cyclophosphamide, is associated with increased risk of bladder cancer, as is treatment with radiotherapy for uterine cancer. In developing countries, especially in the Middle East and parts of Africa, infections with members of the genus Schistosoma are responsible for a high incidence of bladder cancer-75% of which are squamous cell carcinomas. Arsenic has been indicated as a bladder carcinogen in Argentina, Chile, and Taiwan. The reason for the high incidence of urinary tract cancer in individuals suffering from Balkan nephropathy has yet to be determined. A careful history of patients with bladder cancer is an important and useful process in helping to identify causal factor and, in more than one-half the cases, a known relationship is found. Bladder cancer is a potentially preventable disease, with a significant morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world.