Annual trends in atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome management in Japan and factors influencing early diagnosis and treatment: a retrospective study.

Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disorder characterised by complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Despite clinical guidelines, the diagnosis and treatment of aHUS in its early stages remains challenging. This study examined the annual trends in aHUS clinical practices in Japan and explored factors influencing early diagnosis and treatment. Using data from the 2011-2020 Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, 3096 cases with the HUS disease code were identified, of which 217 were confirmed as aHUS and treated with eculizumab or plasma exchange. Early initiation, defined as starting eculizumab or plasma exchange within 7 days of admission, was the focus of the study. Our study revealed no significant changes over time in the number of aHUS diagnoses, cases treated with eculizumab, or early initiation cases. Early initiation cases underwent haemodialysis earlier and had ADAMTS13 activity measured earlier, shorter hospital stays, and lower hospitalisation costs than late initiation cases. In conclusion, we found no increase in the number of newly diagnosed aHUS cases or early treatment initiation over time. Early recognition of TMA and differentiation of the causative disease are crucial for identifying potential aHUS cases, which may lead to better patient prognoses.

Clinical presentation and management of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Latin America: a narrative review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive information about atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is relatively scarce outside of Europe and North America. This narrative review assembles available published data about the clinical presentation and management of aHUS in Latin America. AREAS COVERED: A search conducted in February 2023 of the MEDLINE (from inception), Embase (from inception), and LILACS/IBECS (1950 to 2023) databases using search terms 'atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome' and 'Latin America' and their variations retrieved 51 records (full papers and conference abstracts) published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. After de-duplication, manual screening of titles/abstracts and addition of author-known articles, 25 articles were included of which 17 (68%) are full papers. All articles were published during the years 2013-2022. Articles include cohort studies, a registry analysis, and case reports from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Columbia. Overall, Latin American patients with aHUS present the classic epidemiological, clinical, and genetic characteristics associated with this condition as described in other world regions. Depending on the country and time of reporting, aHUS in Latin America was treated mainly with plasma therapy and/or eculizumab. Where reported, eculizumab substantially improved aHUS-related outcomes in almost all adult and pediatric patients. EXPERT OPINION: Eculizumab has dramatically altered the natural course of aHUS, improving prognosis and patient outcomes. Addressing economic challenges and investing in healthcare infrastructure will be essential to implement strategies for timely detection and early treatment of aHUS in Latin America.

Adolescence-onset atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: is it different from infant-onset?

BACKGROUND: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, mostly complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. The majority of patients are infants. In contrast to infantile-onset aHUS, the clinical and genetic characteristics of adolescence-onset aHUS have not been sufficiently addressed to date. METHODS: A total of 28 patients (21 girls, 7 boys) who were diagnosed as aHUS between the ages of ≥10 years and <18 years were included in this study. All available data in the Turkish Pediatric aHUS registry were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 12.8±2.3 years. Extra-renal involvement was noted in 13 patients (46.4%); neurological involvement was the most common (32%). A total of 21 patients (75%) required kidney replacement therapy. Five patients (17.8%) received only plasma therapy and 23 (82%) of the patients received eculizumab. Hematologic remission and renal remission were achieved in 25 (89.3%) and 17 (60.7%) of the patients, respectively. Compared with the infantile-onset aHUS patients, adolescent patients had a lower complete remission rate during the first episode (p = 0.002). Genetic analyses were performed in all and a genetic variant was detected in 39.3% of the patients. The mean follow-up duration was 4.9±2.6 years. At the last visit, adolescent patients had lower eGFR levels (p = 0.03) and higher rates of chronic kidney disease stage 5 when compared to infantile-onset aHUS patients (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescence-onset aHUS is a rare disease but tends to cause more permanent renal dysfunction than infantile-onset aHUS. These results may modify the management approaches in these patients.

Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Case report.

Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (P-aHUS) is a rare disease. There are only few reports in the literature, and most are in the puerperium period. It is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized for microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction. We report the case of a pregnant patient at 26.3 gestation weeks, who developed clinical features of TMA, neurological alterations, and septic shock; then after fetus and placental delivery, no clinical improvement was observed; a diagnostic protocol was performed due to suspicion of P-aHUS, showing improvement after the plasma exchange sessions and eculizumab. We present here a brief review of the case since it is an entity that needs to be suspected during pregnancy when TMA features and requires an immediate diagnosis to provide timely treatment.

Anti-CFH-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: do we still need plasma exchange?

BACKGROUND: Between 5 and 50% of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) cases in children are caused by autoantibodies against complement factor H (CFH). Given the acquired autoimmune nature of the disease, plasma exchange (PE) and various immunosuppressive treatments have been used. More recently, eculizumab has been proposed. METHODS: In this multicenter, retrospective study, we report outcomes of 12 children with anti-FH antibody-associated HUS treated with eculizumab associated with various immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Patients were treated with eculizumab for 15.5 [9.5;23.0] months and 3 received PE or IgG adsorption. Three patients received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) alone, 1 patient received MMF and steroids, 1 patient received MMF and rituximab, 3 patients received MMF/steroids and rituximab, and 4 patients did not receive any immunosuppression. Anti-FH antibody levels significantly decreased but no difference was observed based on the immunosuppressive regimen. Eculizumab was discontinued in 7/10 patients after 11 [7.5;15.5] months and MMF in 6/8 patients after 36 [35;40] months. Anti-FH titers at MMF discontinuation ranged from 257 to 3425 UI/L. None of these patients relapsed and eGFR at last follow-up was above 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab is effective and safe in inducing and maintaining remission in aHUS secondary to anti-FH antibodies and renders reduction of anti-FH titers less urgent. Anti-FH antibody titers decreased in most patients irrespective of the immunosuppressive treatment chosen, so that a strategy consisting of combining eculizumab with MMF monotherapy seems sufficient at least in non-Indian or less severe forms of anti-FH antibody-associated HUS.

Management of pediatric hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Classical clinical triad of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury associated with endothelial cell injury. Several situations, including infections, medications, malignancies, and transplantation can trigger endothelial damage. On the HUS spectrum, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) deserves special attention in pediatric patients, as it can cause endstage kidney disease and mortality. A dysfunction in the alternative complement pathway, either acquired or genetic, has been shown to be the main underlying cause. In the last decades, breathtaking advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of this rare disease, which has led to more efficient treatment. Recent studies have implicated genes in pathways beyond the alternative complement system, such as DGKE, TSEN2, and INF2 highlighting the importance of personalized management. Eculizumab has brought about dramatic improvements in the treatment of aHUS. Beyond eculizumab, there are many alternative therapeutics in the pipeline that target the complement system. Because of the rarity of aHUS, data from multiple patient registries are very important. The present report aimed to summarize the most important aspects of diagnosing and treating aHUS based on the Turkish national registry and the literature so as to improve clinical practice.

A case-based narrative review of pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome/complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy caused by uncontrolled activation of the alternative complement pathway in the setting of autoantibodies to or rare pathogenic genetic variants in complement proteins. Pregnancy may serve as a trigger and unmask atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome/complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (aHUS/CM-TMA), which has severe, life-threatening consequences. It can be difficult to diagnose aHUS/CM-TMA in pregnancy due to overlapping clinical features with other thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, the distinction among thrombotic microangiopathy etiologies in pregnancy is important because each syndrome has specific disease management and treatment. In this narrative review, we discuss 2 cases to illustrate the diagnostic challenges and evolving approach in the management of pregnancy-associated aHUS/CM-TMA. The first case involves a 30-year-old woman presenting in the first trimester who was diagnosed with aHUS/CM-TMA and treated with eculizumab from 19 weeks' gestation. Genetic testing revealed a likely pathogenic variant in CFI. She successfully delivered a healthy infant at 30 weeks' gestation. In the second case, a 22-year-old woman developed severe postpartum HELLP syndrome, requiring hemodialysis. Her condition improved with supportive management, yet investigations assessing for aHUS/CM-TMA remained abnormal 6 months postpartum consistent with persistent complement activation but negative genetic testing. Through detailed case discussion describing tests assessing for placental health, fetal anatomy, complement activation, autoantibodies to complement regulatory proteins, and genetic testing for aHUS/CM-TMA, we describe how these results aided in the clinical diagnosis of pregnancy-associated aHUS/CM-TMA and assisted in guiding patient management, including the use of anticomplement therapy.

Abbreviated protocol of plasma exchanges for patients with anti-factor H associated hemolytic uremic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Plasma exchanges (PEX) and immunosuppression are the cornerstone of management of anti-factor H (FH) antibody-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), particularly if access to eculizumab is limited. The duration of therapy with PEX for anti-FH aHUS is empirical. METHODS: We compared the efficacy of abbreviated PEX protocol (10-12 sessions) in a prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with anti-FH aHUS (2020-2022), to standard PEX protocol (20-22 sessions) in a historical cohort (2016-2019; n = 65). Efficacy was defined as 70% decline in anti-FH titers or fall to ≤ 1300 AU/ml at 4 weeks. Patients in both cohorts received similar immunosuppression with oral prednisolone, IV cyclophosphamide (5 doses) and mycophenolate mofetil. Outcomes included efficacy, rates of hematological remission and adverse kidney outcomes at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Of 23 patients, 8.2 ± 2.1 years old enrolled prospectively, two were excluded for significant protocol deviation. PEX was abbreviated in 18/21 (86%) patients to 11.5 ± 3.3 sessions. Abbreviation failed for lack of hematological remission by day 14 (n = 2) and persistent neurological manifestations (n = 1). All patients in whom PEX was abbreviated achieved > 70% reduction in anti-FH titers at day 28. The percentage fall in anti-FH titers was similar for the abbreviated vs. standard PEX protocols at 1, 3 and 6 months. At last follow-up, at median 50 months and 25 months for standard and abbreviated cohorts, the estimated GFR was similar at 104.8 ± 29.1 vs. 93.7 ± 53.4, respectively (P = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Abbreviation of the duration of PEX is feasible and efficacious in reducing anti-FH titers. Short-term outcomes were comparable in patients managed by abbreviated and standard PEX protocols.

Constipation and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) classically presents with diarrhea. Absence of diarrheal prodrome increases suspicion for atypical HUS (aHUS). Inability to obtain a fecal specimen for culture or culture-independent testing limits the ability to differentiate STEC-HUS and aHUS. CASE-DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: Our patient presented with abdominal pain and constipation, and evaluation of pallor led to a diagnosis of HUS. There was a complete absence of diarrhea during the disease course. Lack of fecal specimen for several days delayed testing for STEC. Treatment for atypical HUS was initiated with complement-blockade therapy. PCR-testing for Shiga toxin from fecal specimen later returned positive. Alternative complement-pathway testing did not identify a causative genetic variant or anti-Factor H antibody. A diagnosis of STEC-HUS was assigned, and complement-blockade therapy was stopped. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of aHUS remains a diagnosis of exclusion, whereby other causes of HUS are eliminated with reasonable certainty. Exclusion of STEC is necessary and relies on testing availability and recognition of testing limitations. Diarrhea-negative STEC-HUS remains a minority of cases, and future research is needed to explore the clinical characteristics of these patients.

[Various phenotypes of postpartum atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: the role of genetic testing in determining prognosis. Case report].

We report a case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) that occurred after childbirth in a patient with a history of numerous recurrent episodes of TMA with nephrotic proteinuria and impaired renal function. At 33 weeks of the first spontaneous pregnancy, proteinuria up to 0.8 g/l was first registered, at 38 weeks she was hospitalized with proteinuria, reaching a maximum of 13 g/l, she was delivered promptly, after which progressive thrombocytopenia was noted over the next few days (up to 44×109/l) and anemia and severe arterial hypertension, which could not be corrected by several groups of antihypertensive drugs. Initiated plasma therapy had no effect. After exclusion of all other causes of TMA, therapy with eculizumab was initiated, which made it possible to quickly and completely stop the phenomena of TMA. The presented observation demonstrates the successful treatment of recurrent course of aHUS with eculizumab with the achievement of complete recovery of kidney function in a patient with a homozygous mutation in the MCP gene. It is worth noting the importance of genetic research even in those situations where clinically aHUS is beyond doubt.

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome in a postpartum patient.

A postpartum patient presented 1 week following uncomplicated pregnancy and elective repeat caesarean section with acute hypertension, severe anaemia and acute kidney injury. Her workup demonstrated microangiopathic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and liver enzyme elevations. Differential diagnoses included postpartum haemolysis-elevated liver enzyme-low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). She was treated initially with systemic corticosteroids, haemodialysis and plasmapheresis for presumed TTP while awaiting the results of ADAMSTS13 assay performed at an outside laboratory. When reported back as normal, the diagnosis of atypical HUS was established. Eculizumab was administered with rapid improvement of her condition.

Atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome in Algeria: diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic constraints / Syndrome hémolytique et urémique atypique en Algérie : difficultés diagnostiques et contraintes thérapeutiques

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is a systemic disease due to dysregulation of the alternate complement pathway, mortality is estimated at 10% and more than 50% of patients progress to end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical data and biological results as well as the evolution and management of patients with aHUS seen over a period of four years in one specialized department in Algeria. Our study was observational and longitudinal. The inclusion criteria were: the clinical-biological triad of aHUS and age ≤ 16 years. The type of treatment, the presence of complement mutation or anti-complement factor autoantibodies were not eligibility conditions. On inclusion and every six months, demographic data, clinical and biological history and results after treatment were collected prospectively. Our workforce consisted of 21 children with aHUS. Thirteen patients benefited from a complement study; among them, 7 had complement abnormalities. Eleven children had familial HUS; among them 8 died and 6 were less than one year old. Plasma exchanges were performed in two children. Six patients received eculizumab, with an average age of 3.6 years. After the acute phase, 9 children recovered their kidney function, one child had developed a chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 11 died, among them 8 belong to aHUS families. Fifty percent of deaths occurred in the first 3 months. At 2 years of evolution, out of 7 children having reached this stage, five had renal sequelae and four of them had CKD. The severe prognosis of this disease makes early diagnosis and treatment essential.

Le syndrome hémolytique et urémique atypique (SHUa) est une maladie systémique due à une dérégulation de la voie alterne du complément. La mortalité est estimée à 10 % et plus de 50 % des patients évoluent vers l'insuffisance rénale terminale. Le but de la présente étude était de résumer les données cliniques et les résultats biologiques ainsi que l'évolution et la prise en charge des patients atteints de SHUa vus sur une durée de quatre ans dans un service spécialisé en Algérie. Notre étude était observationnelle et longitudinale. Les critères d'inclusion étaient : la triade clinico-biologique du SHUa et l'âge ≤ 16 ans. Le type de traitement, la présence de mutation du complément ou d'auto-anticorps anti-facteur du complément ne constituaient pas des conditions d'éligibilité. À l'inclusion et tous les six mois, les données démographiques, l'histoire clinique, biologique et les résultats après traitement étaient collectés prospectivement. Notre effectif était formé de 21 enfants avec SHUa. Treize patients ont bénéficié d'une étude du complément ; parmi eux sept avaient des anomalies du complément. Onze enfants avaient un SHU familial ; parmi eux huit sont décédés et six avaient moins d'un an. Des échanges plasmatiques ont été réalisés chez deux enfants. Six patients ont bénéficié d'éculizumab, avec un âge moyen de 3,6 ans. Après la phase aiguë, neuf enfants avaient récupéré leur fonction rénale, un enfant avait gardé une insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC), et 11 enfants étaient décédés dont huit appartenaient à des familles de SHUa. Cinquante pourcent des décès étaient survenus durant les trois premiers mois. À deux ans d'évolution, sur sept enfants ayant atteint ce stade, cinq avaient des séquelles rénales et quatre d'entre eux étaient en IRC. Le pronostic sévère de cette maladie rend la précocité du diagnostic et de la prise en charge primordiales.

Why has plasma exchange failed in TRACK syndrome? Lessons from a new variant of the atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare and life-threatening form of thrombotic microangiopathy, associated with high mortality and morbidity. Most cases present with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal insufficiency. However, it can have unusual multiple end-organ injuries including extrarenal organ and system involvements such as neurologic, cardiac, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. We describe a 4-year-old girl who developed aHUS due to the TSEN2 mutation and had cardiac involvement. She did not benefit from plasma exchange, as stated in previous cases. It should be kept in mind that therapeutic plasma exchange may not be beneficial in some cases of aHUS, especially due to genetic mutations.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Thrombotic microangiopathy is a pathological condition comprised of microvascular thrombosis involving any body organ leading to thrombocytopenia, coombs-negative hemolytic anemia, and end-organ damage. The clinical presentation of the case shows typical hemolytic uremic syndrome, however, lab reports show atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (low C3). Pain abdomen and loose stool with some signs of dehydration were initial presentations. Early initiation of renal replacement therapy and management of dehydration was done. Simple diarrhea can also manifest as acute kidney injury with the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hence we should keep hemolytic uremic syndrome as the differential diagnosis of diarrhea. Irrespective of lab parameters, early management in line with the typical hemolytic uremic syndrome should be done for better outcomes. Keywords: anemia; case reports; dehydration; renal replacement therapy.

The nailfold dermoscopy findings of patients with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe disease characterized by microangiopathic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. OBJECTIVES: Atypical HUS (aHUS) that results due to genetic disorders of the alternative complement pathway results in inflammation, endothelial damage, and kidney injury. Therefore, simple and non-invasive tests are needed to evaluate the activity of the disease by assessing the microvascular structure in aHUS. METHODS: A dermoscope (×10) is an inexpensive and easily portable device used to visualize nailfold capillaries and has high clinical performance and interobserver reliability. In this study, the nailfold capillaries of patients with aHUS who were in remission under eculizumab treatment were examined, and the findings were compared to those of a healthy control group to evaluate disease characteristics. RESULTS: All children with aHUS had decreased capillary densities even if they were in remission. This may be indicative of ongoing inflammation and microvascular damage in aHUS. CONCLUSION: A dermoscopy can be used as a screening tool for disease activity in patients with aHUS.

Better late than never: Diagnosis of recurrent atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) comprising microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, consumptive thrombocytopenia, and end-organ damage. Risk of end-stage renal disease is increased as HUS usually manifests in native and transplanted kidneys. In transplants, while de novo disease can be seen, recurrent disease is more common. The etiology is variable, being either primary or secondary. aHUS often constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, which may lead to a considerable delay in the diagnosis and treatment. During the last decades, great progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms and therapeutic options of this devastating condition. We present a case of a 50-year-old female who received her first kidney transplant from her mother at the age of 9 years. She experienced recurrent losses of transplants, and only after the loss of her fourth transplant did the diagnosis of aHUS become evident.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Pregnant Patient with a Thrombomodulin Gene Variant Treated with Plasma Exchange and Eculizumab.

BACKGROUND Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) includes the triad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute renal failure. The atypical form of HUS is a rare disease characterized by complement overactivation, and it can be from genetic or acquired causes. Genetic causes involve mutation in one of the factors in the alternative complement pathway or inhibitors. Malignant hypertension and pregnancy are the most important acquired causes. The optimal management of patients with aHUS is with eculizumab, which is recombinant antibody against human complement component C5. CASE REPORT This report describes the case of a 25-year-old woman with frequent hospitalizations for poorly controlled hypertension who presented at 20 weeks of gestation with headache, vomiting, and a blood pressure of 230/126 mmHg. The patient had acute kidney injury with hematuria and proteinuria, and kidney biopsy showed hypertensive arteriolar nephrosclerosis and fibrinoid arteriolar necrosis consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy. Further work-up with a genetic panel showed heterozygosity for the thrombomodulin (THBD) gene. She was started on treatment with plasma exchange and eculizumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody that inhibits terminal complement activation at the C5 protein. The patient responded well to the treatment at the time of her initial outpatient follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This case shows the potential of severe renal manifestation of aHUS, and the need for a kidney biopsy in cases of severe uncontrolled hypertension presenting with kidney injury. If evidence of aHUS is found, prompt treatment with plasma exchange and eculizumab should be initiated.

A case report of an atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome in pregnancy: something wicked this way comes.

BACKGROUND: Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome is an acute life-threatening condition, characterized by the clinical triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, kidney injury. Management of pregnants affected by Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome can be a serious concern for obstetric anesthesiologist in the delivery room and in the intensive care unit. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old primigravida with a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy, presented with an acute haemorrhage due to retained placenta after elective caesarean section and underwent surgical exploration. In the postoperative period, the patient progressively developed hypoxemic respiratory failure and, later on, anaemia, severe thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. A timely diagnosis of Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome was made. Non-invasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy sessions were initially required. Hypertensive crisis and fluid overload were aggressively treated with a combination of beta and alpha adrenergic blockers (labetalol 0,3 mg/kg/h by continuous intravenous infusion for the first 24 hours, bisoprolol 2,5 mg twice daily for the first 48 hours, doxazosin 2 mg twice daily), central sympatholytics (methyldopa 250 mg twice daily for the first 72 hours, transdermal clonidine 5 mg by the third day), diuretics (furosemide 20 mg three times daily), calcium antagonists (amlodipine 5 mg twice daily). Eculizumab 900 mg was administered via intravenous infusion once per week, attaining hematological and renal remissions. The patient also received several blood transfusion units and anti- meningococcal B, anti-pneumococcal, anti-haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination. Her clinical condition progressively improved, and she was finally discharged from intensive care unit 5 days after admission. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course of this report underlines how crucial it is for the obstetric anaesthesiologist to promptly identify Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, since early initiation of eculizumab, together with supportive therapy, has a direct effect on patient outcome.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life alterations in survivors of immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) and atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), once in remission, may cause long-term symptoms, among which mental-health impairments may be difficult to detect. We conducted telephone interviews 72 [48-84] months after ICU discharge to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the 36-item Short Form questionnaire (SF-36). Of 103 included patients, 52 had iTTP and 51 aHUS; 74% were female, median age was 39 y (31-54), and 39 (38%) patients were still taking treatment. Symptoms of anxiety, PTSD and depression were present in 50%, 27% and 14% of patients, respectively, with no significant difference between the iTTP and aHUS groups. Patients with PTSD symptoms had significantly greater weight gain and significantly worse perceived physical and/or emotional wellbeing, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. The SF-36 physical and mental components indicated significantly greater quality-of-life impairments in patients with vs. without PTSD symptoms and in those with aHUS and PTSD vs. iTTP with or without PTSD. In the aHUS group, quality of life was significantly better in patients with vs. without eculizumab treatment. Factors independently associated with PTSD symptoms were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 0.11; 95%CI, 0.02-0.53), platelet count ≤20 G/L at acute-episode presentation (OR, 2.68; 1.01-7.38), and current treatment (OR, 2.69; 95%CI, 1.01-7.36). Mental-health screening should be routine in patients with iTTP and aHUS to ensure appropriate care.