Mesoamerican nephropathy: A not so unknown chronic kidney disease

Abstract

From 2000, Mesoamerican region has reached an important rate of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. Under the name of Meroamerican Nephropathy (MeN) several hypotheses (including dehydration, heat stress, environmental or toxic exposure or even infections) have tried to explain the etiology this new disease. MeN affects young men, agricultural workers exposed to high temperatures. MeN courses with unspecific symptoms as low-grade fever and dysuria and progressive kidney disease with impaired renal function and hydroelectrolyte disturbances. The diagnosis requires kidney biopsy showing tubule-interstitial nephritis (usually at chronic stage). Although MeN conditions a high morbi-mortality in endemic regions, there is a lack of specific treatment and only preventive measures have demonstrated some effect of prognosis (avoid heat stress, constant hydration). In this review we aim to summarize the available information of MeN, illustrating the information in a case report.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin; Enfermedad renal crónica de origen desconocido; Estrés por calor; Heat stress; Mesoamerican nephropathy; Nefritis tubulointersticial; Nefropatía mesoamericana; Tubule-interstitial nephritis.