Pathology of Renal Diseases in the Tropics

Kidney diseases encountered in tropical areas are a mix of conditions that have a worldwide distribution and those that are secondary to factors unique to the tropics (e.g. climatic conditions, infectious agents, nephrotoxic plants, envenomations, and chemical toxins). Cultural factors, illiteracy, superstitions, living conditions, level of access to health care, and nutritional status also affect the nature and course of disease. Knowledge of such conditions and issues is important for medical professionals in all parts of the globe, as ease of travel means that individuals and practices are exported with increasing frequency. Glomerular diseases—there is a high prevalence of infection-related glomerulonephritis (e.g. quartan malarial, schistosomal, and filarial nephropathies) throughout the tropics, with the pattern of injury dependent upon the nature of the prevalent endemic infection in that region. Once established, the course of disease is rarely modified by treatment of underlying infection. Acute kidney injury (AKI)—there is a higher prevalence of community-acquired AKI in the tropics than elsewhere. Medical causes predominate, with diarrhoeal diseases, intravascular haemolysis due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, ingestion of toxic plants, snake bites, insect stings, and locally prevalent infections being responsible for most cases. Falciparum malaria and leptospirosis are the most important infectious aetiologies. Use of indigenous herbs and chemicals by traditional healers (‘witch doctors’) are the most important toxic causes of AKI in sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic kidney disease (CKD)—although the contributions of diabetes and hypertension are growing, many cases are secondary to glomerular diseases, likely infection related, or have CKD of undetermined aetiology. Many of the latter are agriculture or farm workers presenting with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis of unknown cause.

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Renal diseases in the tropics

Oxford Textbook of Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.2111_update_001 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 4082-4094

Author(s):

Vivekanand Jha

Keyword(s):

Renal Diseases ◽

The Tropics

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Renal Diseases in the Tropics

Tropical Pathology - Spezielle pathologische Anatomie ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-57863-2_22 ◽

1995 ◽

pp. 1161-1198

Author(s):

R. Sinniah ◽

V. Boonpucknavig

Keyword(s):

Renal Diseases ◽

The Tropics

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Renal diseases in the tropics

Oxford Textbook of Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.2111_update_002 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 4078-4094

Author(s):

Vivekanand Jha

Keyword(s):

Access To Health Care ◽

Kidney Diseases ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Renal Diseases ◽

Worldwide Distribution ◽

Access To Health ◽

Tropical Areas ◽

The Tropics ◽

Progressive Renal Insufficiency

Kidney diseases encountered in tropical areas are a mix of conditions that have worldwide distribution and those that are secondary to factors unique to the tropics, e.g. climatic conditions, infectious agents, nephrotoxic plants, envenomations, and chemical toxins. Important presentations are with nephrotic syndrome, acute kidney injury (AKI), and progressive renal insufficiency. In addition to the climate, cultural factors, illiteracy, superstitions, living conditions, level of access to health care, and nutritional status also affect the nature and course of disease. Knowledge of such conditions and issues is important for medical professionals in all parts of the globe, as ease of travel means that individuals and practices are exported with increasing frequency....

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A rapid silver-impregnation technique on ultra-thin sections for Electron Microscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100147053 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 242-243

Author(s):

K. Chien ◽

R.C. Heusser ◽

M.L. Jones ◽

R.L. Van de Velde

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Silver Nitrate ◽

Silver Impregnation ◽

Sodium Borate ◽

Renal Diseases ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Impregnation Technique ◽

Centrifuge Tube ◽

Simplified Procedure

Silver impregnation techniques have been used for the demonstration of the complex carbohydrates in electron microscopy. However, the silver stains were believed to be technically sensitive and time consumming to perform. Currently, due to the need to more specifically evaluate immune complex for localization in certain renal diseases, a simplified procedure in conjunction with the use of the microwave has been developed and applied to renal and other biopsies. The procedure is as follows:Preparation of silver methenamine solution:1. 15ml graduated, clear polystyrene centrifuge tube (Falcon, No. 2099) was rinsed once with distilled water.2. 3% hexamethylene tetramine (methenamine) was added into the centrifuge tube to the 6ml mark.3. 3% silver nitrate was added slowly to the methenamine to the 7ml mark while agitating. (Solution will instantly turn milky in color and then clear rapidly by mixing. No precipitate should be formed).4. 2% sodium borate was added to the solution to the 8ml mark, mixed and centrifuged before use.

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