Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in urine is rare and not associated with acute kidney injury in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Robert Frithiof, Anders Bergqvist, Josef D. Järhult, Miklós Lipcsey, Michael Hultström
Abstract
Dear Editor, Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 requiring intensive care due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) frequently develop acute kidney injury (AKI) [1], but the underlying mechanisms are poorly explored. SARS-CoV-2 has been found in both urine and the kidneys, where it has been suggested to cause proximal tubule damage [2-4]. Direct renal infection of SARS-CoV-2 causing AKI potentially leads to viral shedding in urine. However, to our knowledge, no study has been undertaken to investigate urinary levels of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with AKI.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineAcute kidney injuryUrineIntensive care unitSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Intensive careCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)KidneyIntensive care medicineInternal medicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)COVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchAcute Kidney Injury Research