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COVID-19

COVID-19 Linked to Kidney Stone Disease

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the University of Louisville have discovered that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be causing kidney stone disease (KSD) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced epigenetic reprogramming. This review proposes a novel framework connecting COVID-19-induced epigenetic reprogramming to disruptions in mitochondrial sulfur metabolism and the pathogenesis of kidney stones.

Key Takeaways:

  • COVID-19 has brought to light unexpected complications beyond respiratory illness, including effects on kidney function and a potential link to kidney stone disease (KSD).
  • The researchers propose a novel framework connecting COVID-19-induced epigenetic reprogramming to disruptions in mitochondrial sulfur metabolism and the pathogenesis of kidney stones.
  • SARS-CoV-2 interferes with host methylation processes, leading to elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels and impairment of the trans-sulfuration pathway mechanisms particularly relevant in metabolic disorders such as homocystinuria.
  • The study suggests that these epigenetic and metabolic alterations may promote specific kidney stone subtypes through disrupted sulfur and oxalate handling.
  • The research also explores the role of COVID-19-associated gut dysbiosis in increasing oxalate production and driving calcium oxalate stone formation.
  • The study offers an integrated hypothesis to explain post-viral renal lithogenesis and highlights the potential of targeting sulfur metabolism and redox pathways as therapeutic strategies for KSD triggered or aggravated by viral infections such as COVID-19.

Statistics:

  • 2025 saw the publication of a new report on COVID-19 and its link to kidney stone disease.
  • The study was published in the journal Biomolecules, volume 15, issue 8, article 1163.
  • The study included researchers from the University of Louisville, with additional authors Mahavir Singh, Utpal Sen, Mahima Tyagi, and Suresh C. Tyagi.
  • The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research Results from University of Louisville Update Knowledge of COVID-19 (Kidney Stone Disease: Epigenetic Dysregulation in Homocystinuria and Mitochondrial Sulfur Trans-Sulfuration Ablation Driven by COVID-19 Pathophysiology). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 14, 2025; p 211.
  • Kidney Stone Disease: Epigenetic Dysregulation in Homocystinuria and Mitochondrial Sulfur Trans-Sulfuration Ablation Driven by COVID-19 Pathophysiology. Biomolecules, 2025,15(8):1163. (Biomolecules - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/biomolecules).

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