Evaluation of renal function profile in human visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) patients
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Date
2020-05
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne protozoan infection which has a wide clinical
spectrum in tropics and subtropics. Kidney damage is frequently associated with increased
morbidity and mortality in visceral leishmaniasis patients. However, up to date, there is a very
limited report on the effect of visceral leishmaniasis on kidney function profiling in Ethiopia.
Objective: To evaluate renal function profile in human visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) patients.
Method: Human blood was taken from VL patients (n= 100) and healthy controls (n= 100)
attending at Kahsay Abera and Mearg Hospitals, Western Tigray of Ethiopia, from June –
September 2019. Serum was separated according to the conventional protocol and kidney function
profiling (creatinine, urea, and uric acid) were analyzed by Mindray 200E automated Chemistry
analyzer. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also assessed in this study. The
obtained data were processed using SPSS Version 23.0. Descriptive statistics, independent-test,
and bivariate correlation were used for data analysis. P values < 0.05 were considered as
statistically significant at 95% confidence level.
Result: The mean level of serum creatinine was found significantly higher, while respective serum
urea and eGFR were significantly lower in VL patients when compared to healthy controls.
Specifically, from 100 VL cases, an increased level of serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid was
found in 10%, 9% and 15% VL cases, respectively; meanwhile, a decreased serum urea and
eGFR has been reported from 33% and 44% VL cases, respectively.
Conclusions: The finding of this study asserted that visceral leishmaniasis causes derangement in
kidney activities characterized by alteration of renal function profile. This may indicate that VL is
the determinant factor for developing kidney dysfunction. This study encourages researchers to
engage in leishmaniasis and its effect on other organ function profiles in humans and identify
potential markers for both prevention and intervention.
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Keywords
Visceral leishmaniasis, renal function test, creatinine, urea, glomerular filtration rate.