Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy: The Hong Kong Perspective

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a progressive tubulointerstitial nephropathy attributed to aristolochic acid (AA) toxicity. Five cases of AAN have been diagnosed in Hong Kong. Most were caused by the inadvertent substitution of innocuous herbs with Aristolochia species. Our findings contributed to the withdrawal of the AA-containing herbs and products in Hong Kong. This paper aims to review the topic of AAN from a Hong Kong perspective.