Adult hemolytic uremic syndrome

Abstract

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), described in 1955, is characterized by the triad of non-immune mediated hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Shiga toxin, produced most frequently by E coli O157:H, is involved in its pathogenesis. Hus can manifest at any age, although it is rare in adults and develops sporadically or in outbreaks. HUS presents with a picture of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. It can affect the central nervous system, lungs, pancreas, and heart. In adults, the syndrome evolves after an incubation period of 1 week after diarrhea, with high morbidity and mortality, unlike pediatric cases.

Keywords

• diarrhoea
• adults
• hemolytic uremic syndrome