Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome, like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, fulminant disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Other manifestations may include alterations... read more (TTP), involves nonimmunologic platelet destruction. Endothelial damage is common. Loose strands of platelets and fibrin are deposited in multiple small vessels and damage passing platelets and red blood cells (RBCs), causing significant thrombocytopenia and anemia (microangiopathic hemolytic anemia). Platelets are also consumed within multiple small thrombi, contributing to the thrombocytopenia.

Multiple organs develop bland platelet–von Willebrand factor (VWF) thrombi localized primarily to arteriocapillary junctions, described as thrombotic microangiopathy. The brain, heart, and kidneys are particularly likely to be affected. The microthrombi do not include RBCs or fibrin (unlike thrombi in disseminated intravascular coagulation) and do not manifest the vessel wall granulocytic infiltration characteristic of vasculitis Overview of Vasculitis Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels, often with ischemia, necrosis, and organ inflammation. Vasculitis can affect any blood vessel—arteries, arterioles, veins, venules, or capillaries... read more . Large-vessel thrombi are uncommon.

Most cases occur in children and follow

Most often (about 90% of cases), the infection is acute hemorrhagic colitis resulting from Shiga toxin–producing bacteria (eg, Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Other Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) The gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) typically cause acute bloody diarrhea, which may lead to hemolytic-uremic syndrome... read more , or some strains of Shigella dysenteriae). Occasionally, the cause is pneumococcal infection or rarely HIV infection.

A small minority of cases are unrelated to infection and involve

Complement dysregulation is usually from a mutation in genes controlling complement proteins or factors but sometimes from acquired autoantibodies to certain complement factors. Congenital complement disorders may also increase the risk of hemolytic-uremic sydrome (HUS) following infection.

Children with Shiga toxin-related hemolytic-uremic sydrome (HUS) usually have a prodrome of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (frequently bloody) and often a history of exposure to infection. Patients with pneumococcal-related HUS usually have manifestations of pneumonia, meningitis, or sepsis. Fever does not usually occur. About a week after the prodrome, manifestations of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Acute kidney injury is a rapid decrease in renal function over days to weeks, causing an accumulation of nitrogenous products in the blood (azotemia) with or without reduction in amount of urine... read more develop. Complement-mediated HUS does not usually have an infectious prodrome.

Manifestations of ischemia develop with varying severity in multiple organs. Neurologic manifestations occur in about one quarter of patients and include weakness, confusion, and seizures. Kidney injury may produce hematuria, decreased urination or anuria, and/or hypertension. Despite thrombocytopenia, purpura and overt bleeding are uncommon although gastrointestinal tract ischemia may cause significant hemorrhagic colitis, with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Cardiac involvement may cause arrhythmias.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome is suspected in patients with suggestive symptoms, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic anemia, and signs of acute kidney injury. If the disorder is suspected, urinalysis, peripheral blood smear, reticulocyte count, serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), haptoglobin, renal function tests, serum bilirubin (direct and indirect), and direct antiglobulin test are done. ADAMTS13 enzyme activity levels may be helpful, because it is low in TTP but is usually not decreased in HUS. This enzyme is a plasma protease that cleaves von Willebrand factor; deficiency causes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, fulminant disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Other manifestations may include alterations... read more (TTP) and decreased ADAMTS13 activity levels may differentiate atypical cases of TTP from HUS.

The diagnosis is suggested by

Typical diarrhea-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome in children caused by enterohemorrhagic infection usually spontaneously remits and is treated with supportive care; antibiotics are not used. Over half of patients require renal dialysis. Unlike with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, plasma exchange and corticosteroids are not used.

In patients with HUS caused by complement dysregulation, complement inhibition with eculizumab or ravulizumab can sometimes reverse the kidney failure. Children with known or presumed hereditary deficiency in complement regulatory proteins such as factor H are particularly likely to respond to eculizumab or ravulizumab.