Visakhapatnam: Department of Human Genetics, Andhra University has collected samples from approximately 2,000 dialysis patients from the Uddanam area of Srikakulam district who are undergoing dialysis for their chronic kidney disease over the past three years. The aim is to perform genetic sequencing of these samples to determine if genetic etiology/susceptibility plays a role in the high prevalence of kidney disease in this region.
For the past two decades, the mysterious kidney epidemic has plagued the Uddanam region. Thousands of people in about 120 villages in six mandalas fell ill with CKDu/CKDnT (chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology/non-traditional cause).
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved this AU project to shed light on the region’s kidney condition known as ‘Uddanam Nephropathy’.
The motivation for the study is that only a few people in the Uddanam area are/were victims of nephropathy, although almost all people are exposed to the same environmental and social conditions, ie drinking water, soil, crops, temperatures, eating habits, air composition and lifestyle .
Researchers believe that identifying the specific genes that lead to an increased risk of kidney disease will help in early detection and prevention of the disease.
In conversation with TOI, Head of the Department of Human Genetics, University of Andhra, Prof. G Sudhakarsaid they obtained permission from local health authorities before starting the study.
“We have collected samples from around 2,000 patients so far. In the next phase, we will sequence these samples to understand the role of genetics, if any, behind the kidney mystery. We learned that a similar trend in kidney disease was observed in a village near Payakaraopeta. We will seek permission to conduct research in this village as well,” he said Prof. Sudhakar.
Prof. G. Paddaiah, a senior faculty member and principal investigator on the study, said that for the study they focused on six genes linked to kidney function. “We will perform gene amplification on these patients affected by CKD and their healthy siblings to compare both, since they must come from the same genetic stock and have similar socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, etc. The changes in the genes would serve as a predictive marker for these diseases,” Paddaiah explained.
For the past two decades, the mysterious kidney epidemic has plagued the Uddanam region. Thousands of people in about 120 villages in six mandalas fell ill with CKDu/CKDnT (chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology/non-traditional cause).
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved this AU project to shed light on the region’s kidney condition known as ‘Uddanam Nephropathy’.
The motivation for the study is that only a few people in the Uddanam area are/were victims of nephropathy, although almost all people are exposed to the same environmental and social conditions, ie drinking water, soil, crops, temperatures, eating habits, air composition and lifestyle .
Researchers believe that identifying the specific genes that lead to an increased risk of kidney disease will help in early detection and prevention of the disease.
In conversation with TOI, Head of the Department of Human Genetics, University of Andhra, Prof. G Sudhakarsaid they obtained permission from local health authorities before starting the study.
“We have collected samples from around 2,000 patients so far. In the next phase, we will sequence these samples to understand the role of genetics, if any, behind the kidney mystery. We learned that a similar trend in kidney disease was observed in a village near Payakaraopeta. We will seek permission to conduct research in this village as well,” he said Prof. Sudhakar.
Prof. G. Paddaiah, a senior faculty member and principal investigator on the study, said that for the study they focused on six genes linked to kidney function. “We will perform gene amplification on these patients affected by CKD and their healthy siblings to compare both, since they must come from the same genetic stock and have similar socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, etc. The changes in the genes would serve as a predictive marker for these diseases,” Paddaiah explained.
