haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS)

The combination acute kidney insufficiency, haemolytic anaemia and a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Biopsy of kidney tissue shows a blood vessel disorder with thrombosis of the glomerular and other small vessels. In spite of the thrombocytopenia, blood clotting times are normal. The syndrome has many causes including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection in post-diarrhoea cases, other infections, pregnancy, drugs, cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus and organ transplants, but most probably relate ultimately to endothelial injury. Its effects may be very serious as almost any system of the body may be involved.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

Escherichia coli cytotoxin, haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, and haemorrhagic colitis.

Shiga (Vero)-toxigenic Escherichia coli: epidemiology, virulence and disease

Sporadic cases of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome associated with faecal cytotoxin and cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in stools.

Mild Illness during Outbreak of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 Infections Associated with Agricultural Show, Australia

Acute neurology and neurophysiology of haemolytic-uraemic syndrome. Arch.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome with obstructive hydrocephalus in an infant

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) is an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children, leading to significant morbidity and mortality, and the effects of which may persist into adulthood.

urea (mg/dl) (mg/dl) 1 86 2.0 2 100 2.1 3 88 2.3 4 88 7.2 5 177 5.8 6 176 5.3 7 118 2.9 8 167 6.3 9 173 3.8 D-HUS = haemolytic-uraemic syndrome occurring without a diarrhoeal prodrome; BP = blood pressure; Hb = haemoglobin; WBC = total white blood cell count; Platelet = platelet count; S-LDH = serum lactate dehydrogenase; C3 = component 3; S-Cr = serum creatinine; F = female; M = male.

Clinical profile and outcome of D- haemolyticuraemic syndrome in children from south India

She later developed the most severe form of EHEC infection, haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, in which the kidneys and nervous system fail and patients often suffer epileptic fits.

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Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in childhood: surveillance and case-control studies in Italy.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome, Italy, 1988-2000. (Dispatches)