Dr. Lednicky et al. discovered Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) in commercially sold primary human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC). They then proved the virus replicates in primary RPTEC and human renal epithelial cells. HCoV-NL63 is known as a medium-virulence respiratory virus, but has not been associated with human kidney disease. However, genetically related viruses such as SARS and MERS coronaviruses cause severe respiratory and kidney diseases. This raises the question whether HCoV-NL63 affects the kidneys. Their findings also serve as a reminder that biologicals such as commercially sold human cells for tissue culture can be contaminated with viruses. Their article, entitled Isolation and genetic characterization of human coronavirus NL63 in primary human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells obtained from a commercial supplier, and confirmation of its replication in two different types of human primary kidney cells is available at :http://www.virologyj.com/content/10/1/213/abstract.