Acute kidney damage in COVID-19 patients

The presentation of kidney damage in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies significantly. According to recent studies, the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in severe cases of COVID-19 infection significantly worsens the prognosis of these patients. The pathological changes in kidneys might be caused directly by the cytopathic effect mediated by local replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) or indirectly because of systemic immune response or hypercoagulation, so-called immunothrombosis. Other causes, such as hypovolemia and hypoxia, may also contribute to AKI. Acute kidney disease often develops in elderly patients with underlying comorbidities or in critically ill patients with severe respiratory failure. It is known that AKI is a risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 patients.