Understanding CKDu risk factors in agricultural Central America
Official title: Exploring risk factors and predictors of endemic CKDu in agricultural regions of four Central America countries
Funded at Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica · NIH-11520955 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests what factors put agricultural workers in four Central American countries at risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) and what predicts kidney function decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Heredia, Costa Rica) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,131 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK130046-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520955 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in rural Central American communities with exposure to agricultural work, heat stress, and related risk factors, including both those with CKDu and those without.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not in CKDu-endemic agricultural settings or without kidney-related concerns may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
CKDu affects young workers in rural Central America, and this project follows people in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to find what environmental, social, and biological factors are linked to kidney decline. Researchers will collect health data and markers from blood and tissue, study exposure to heat, heavy labor, toxins, and infections, and bank samples for future biomarker analysis. The study uses field epidemiology to identify cases and controls and to track participants over time, including those with and without CKDu. Results could help pinpoint modifiable risks and improve prevention strategies for affected communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to earlier detection and prevention of CKDu risk among agricultural workers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CKDu research has identified associations, but this project adds comprehensive risk-factor analysis and biomarker work in a new, multi-country Central American context.
Where this research is happening
-
Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
Heredia, Costa Rica Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crowe, Jennifer — Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
- Study coordinator: Crowe, Jennifer
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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.