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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: “HUS, it’s what’s for dinner”

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute kidney injury with associated microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (also known as STEC) is the most common cause of HUS in the pediatric population, accounting for up to 90% of all cases in children under the age of five. The most common strain of STEC-HUS is E. Coli O157:H7, with a primary means of transmission through undercooked food (beef) and less common sources, including person-to-person or direct animal contact. Children are more affected than adults, and the causes, diagnosis, and management are essentially the same for adults and children...…

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Articles of Interest

E.Coli Outbreaks - Preventable or Fact of Life?

Despite advances in medical science, bugs such as E. coli will always be one step ahead of us. Every now and then they will emerge with a vengeance as they spread illness and in extreme cases, death. Always try to find out where your produce comes from and never assume that your food is clean.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe, life-threatening complication of an E. coli bacterial infection that was first described in 1955, and is now recognized as the most common cause of acute kidney failure in childhood. E. coli O157:H7 is responsible for over 90% of the cases of HUS that develop in North America. In fact, some researchers now believe that E. coli O157:H7 is the only cause of HUS in children.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: The Danger E. coli Poses for Children

Most children with HUS recover. But about 30 percent of them will experience long-term health effects including chronic kidney disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), and chronic neurologic damage.

This is Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

On December 21st, 2011 I was admitted into the hospital for severe anemia and what my doctors thought might be another transplant rejection. It looked eerily similar to what happened to me a few years back when I was working at OCU, so we thought we knew what to expect. But things seemed worse this time. Why was I so anemic?

Resources

aHUS Source

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (atypical-HUS) is a rare, chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled activation of the complement system causing thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and organ damage. A number of triggers can amplify complement system activation and unmask underlying atypical-HUS.

Atypical HUS Foundation

The Atypical HUS Foundation provides information, insight, and resources for the aHUS community in America and the world.

Kidneys and Pin-ups

Let me take a minute to tell you about aHUS. I have a genetic mutation in my DNA. What happens is that my body's immune system thinks it is being attacked at all times, and my blood forms these microscopic blood clots because it thinks it is helping.

Grayson Dunham Foundation

Seventeen days after turning two Grayson passed away from a rare and aggressive disease called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which is caused by an E.coli infection. Grayson was only sick for four days prior to his death. During those four days we were told of four different diagnoses before we reached the 5th and final positive diagnosis roughly ten hours before he was taken from us.

MayoClinic

A number of things can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, but the most common cause — particularly in children — is an infection with a specific strain of E. coli, usually the strain known as O157:H7. However, other strains of E. coli have been linked to hemolytic uremic syndrome, too.

Patient

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) was first described in 1955. It is is a triad of: •Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (Coombs' test negative). •Thrombocytopenia. •Acute kidney injury (acute renal failure). It is the most common cause of acute kidney injury in children and its incidence appears to be growing worldwide.