September 10, 2026, 4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
The Diagnostic Role of Genetic Testing in APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)
In this session, Pranav Garimella, MBBS, MPH, Ambarish Athavale, MD and Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC discuss genetic testing for APOL1 and the value of ICD-10 codes.
Learn more about APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)
APOL1 is a gene for apolipoprotein L1, a protein involved in the body's immune system. Certain mutations (variants) of the APOL1 gene, called G1 and G2 risk variants, are associated with increased risk of kidney disease.
APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance with incomplete penetrance (not everyone who has two copies of the risk variants will develop AMKD).
In this session, you will learn about when to do genetic testing for APOL1 and the value of ICD-10 codes.
The session objectives are to:
- Identify when APOL1 testing should be considered
- Explain how APOL1 genetic testing can contribute to diagnosis and inform clinical management of AMKD
- Apply patient-centered approaches to discussing APOL1 testing, interpreting results, and communicating their implications with patients and families.
- Highlight the value of ICD-10 codes for AMKD.
Moderator
Pranav Garimella, MBBS, MPH
Chief Medical Officer
Pranav S. Garimella, MD, MPH, is a nephrologist, clinician scientist, and Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego. He is also the Chief Medical Officer of the American Kidney Fund. His research spans novel biomarkers of kidney tubular health and disease, —particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In the hypertension space, his work has examined plasma biomarkers of kidney tubule health during ambulatory AKI and kidney function recovery in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), informing understanding of how intensive blood pressure control affects tubular injury and repair. His work also addresses peripheral artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease and innovations in nephrology healthcare delivery.
Speakers
Ambarish Athavale, MD
Dr. Ambarish Athavale, MD, is Associate Professor of Medicine in Division of Nephrology at University of California at San Diego. His primary research interests include precision medicine in glomerular disease and use of artificial intelligence techniques in management of acute kidney injury and non-invasively estimate kidney fibrosis. Dr. Athavale has authored/co-authored more than 30 peer reviewed articles and has been funded by NIH/NIDDK, Hektoen International Medical Foundation, University of Michigan and University of California at San Diego. He serves on the steering committee of the NEPTUNE study and is the Director of the glomerulonephritis clinic at University of California at San Diego.
Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC
Barbara Harrison, MS, CGC is a certified genetic counselor and clinical assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. She provides clinical genetic counseling services across a range of indications, including OB/GYN, cardiology, and nephrology. She has done extensive work in increasing equity in genomic medicine, from engaging underserved patient communities in research and clinical care, to participating in efforts to diverse the genomic workforce.
This webinar is hosted by the American Kidney Fund, with generous support from:
