BackgroundIn March 2009, the novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus was first reported in the southwestern USA and Mexico. It rapidly spread to China and worldwide. We investigated possible kidney injury in patients with the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus in China.Methods
This study was a retrospective cohort investigation of the potential renal injury in patients of influenza. One hundred and seventy-two patients confirmed to have the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus but who had different levels of severity (non-severe, severe, and critically severe) and 21 cases who were influenza A (H1N1)-negative but who had an influenza-like illness were investigated. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (Cy-C).
Results
The influenza A (H1N1) virus caused more illness in middle-aged people in all groups. The patients in the non-severe group were younger than those in the severe group (p < 0.05) and the non-influenza A (H1N1) group (p < 0.01). Four subjects in the critically severe group died (3 due to respiratory failure, 1 heart injury). A significant difference in the levels of Cr and Cy-C between the groups was not observed (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus did not cause severe kidney injury in the acute phase in adult patients.
