Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Cause in Agricultural Communities
Official title: Chronic Kidney Diseases of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) in Agricultural Communities (CURE) Research Consortium - SDCC
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11526674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wide study to find what causes a serious kidney disease that affects workers in farming areas, by looking at people in high-risk regions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,004,506 |
| NIH project number | 5U24DK130043-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11526674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ years old residing in high-risk regions who may develop or have CKDu and can participate in longitudinal follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not exposed to high-risk environments or without CKDu-related risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will recruit adults in high-prevalence areas to study kidney disease with unknown causes, collecting questionnaire data, biological samples, and biopsy information to understand risk factors and progression. It uses a large cohort approach across Central America and India, with analyses performed in the United States. The goal is to uncover contributors to tubulointerstitial kidney disease so findings can inform prevention and care for people with similar risk profiles in the U.S.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better prevention, earlier diagnosis, and targeted care for patients with CKDu and related kidney diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies in CKDu have advanced understanding of environmental and occupational factors, but regional etiologies remain under investigation, making this approach promising yet exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kesler, Karen — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Kesler, Karen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.