Volume 2 Issue 5, May 2006

Jörg Radermacher argues that although renal resistive index is not a perfect test for renovascular disease or ischemic nephropathy, it can provide useful diagnostic information in both of these settings. The author examines the utility of renal resistive index measurements in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis, ischemic nephropathy and hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

This is a practical guide to viruses that perturb renal function, with an emphasis on those that affect glomeruli. Touching on the mechanisms that underlie viral nephropathy before focusing on clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment, this article covers HIV, hepatitis B and C, parvovirus B19, hantavirus and the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Existing treatments for amyloidosis aim to perturb production of pathogenic fibrils by limiting the supply of precursor proteins. Recent insights into processes involved in fibrillogenesis have opened new therapeutic avenues. In this short Review, the authors provide an update on the development of drugs to stabilize precursor proteins, promote clearance of amyloid or enhance regression of fibrils.

The slit diaphragm spans podocyte foot processes, effacement of which is a feature common to all glomerular diseases. Recent work in nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis has led to identification of mutations in several gene products that function at the slit diaphragm, such as nephrin, Neph1 and podocin. Johnstone and Holzman predict that these molecular insights will facilitate disease classification and optimization of therapy.