Role of infection in the genesis of acute renal failure.

While most experimental models of acute renal failure (ARF) involve ischaemic or toxic damage to the kidney in non-infected animals, a surprisingly large proportion of patients with ARF exhibit signs of septicaemia or systemic reaction to local infections. This clinical observation suggests an important role of infection-related mediator mechanisms in the genesis of ARF. Another important aspect is the occurrence of ARF in the context of infections with nephrotropic viruses (e.g. hantavirus accounting for approximately 5% of non-surgical ARF in Germany) and nephrotropic bacteria (e.g. leptospirosis).