Abdul Amir H. Kadhum
1* 
, Aliaa Saadoon Abdul- Razaq Al-Faraji
2 , Sudad Jasim Mohammed
2 , Adil Turki Al-Musawi
2 , Maytham Ahmed AbdulAemah
3 , Qais R. Lahhob
4 1 Department of Chemistry, College of Medicine, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq
2 Market Research and Consumer Protection Center, University of Baghdad, Iraq
3 College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon, Hillah, 51001, Iraq
4 Collage of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, 64001, Iraq
Abstract
Introduction: Dengue fever-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) has multifactorial nature. These glomerular changes are likely mediated by the host immune response to dengue virus infection, particularly the deposition of immune complexes and the release of inflammatory cytokines like IL-17. The glomerular injury can lead to proteinuria, hematuria, and even acute glomerulonephritis. Dengue fever-associated glomerulonephritis is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, renal biopsy, imaging studies, and serological tests. Laboratory tests revealed proteinuria, hematuria, and granular casts. Additionally, elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are often detected. Glomerular abnormalities in kidney biopsy consisted of mesangial proliferation, endothelial swelling, thrombotic microangiopathy, inflammatory cell infiltration and immune complex deposition. Treatment of dengue-associated glomerulonephritis is primarily supportive, with management of fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure control, and dialysis if necessary. In some cases, immunosuppressive therapy may be required.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
Dengue fever-associated glomerulonephritis often presents with a combination of symptoms such as fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, and arthralgia. Dengue fever-associated glomerulonephritis is caused by a combination of direct viral injury, immune complex deposition, and hemodynamic factors. Dengue virus can productively infect up to 80% of primary human endothelial cells, including glomerular endothelial cells, resulting in the rapid release of infectious virions. Dengue virus infection leads to endothelial cell dysfunction and weakening of the endothelial barrier integrity in the glomeruli. Renal biopsy in this disease is typically characterized by mesangial proliferation and immune complex deposition.
Please cite this paper as: Kadhum AAH, Al-Faraji ASAR, Mohammed SJ, Al-musawi AT, AbdulAemah MA, R. Lahhob Q. Dengue fever-associated glomerulonephritis; an updated narrative mini-review. J Nephropharmacol. 2025;14(1):e12711. DOI: 10.34172/npj.2025.12711.