What is atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome?

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an extremely rare disease characterized by low levels of circulating red blood cells due to their destruction (hemolytic anemia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) due to their consumption and inability of the kidneys to process waste products from the blood and excrete …

Is there a cure for aHUS?

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a disease that causes blood clots in small blood vessels in your kidneys and other organs. These clots keep blood from getting to your kidneys, which can lead to serious medical problems, including kidney failure. There’s no cure, but treatment can help manage the condition.

What are the symptoms of aHUS?

Often, people with aHUS will report a vague feeling of illness, with non-specific symptoms that may include paleness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, high blood pressure, and swelling. There are three hallmark symptoms that define aHUS: hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and kidney failure.

What is the main reason for hemolytic uremic syndrome?

What causes HUS? Most cases of HUS occur after an infection in the digestive tract caused by the E. coli bacterium, O157:H7. Diarrhea and upper respiratory infections are the most common factors leading to HUS.

What is a uremic patient?

Uremia is a dangerous condition that occurs when waste products associated with decreased kidney function build up in your blood. Uremia means “urine in the blood” and refers to the effects of the waste product accumulation. It affects the entire body.

Is atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome curable?

How do you reverse uremia?

The ultimate treatment for uremia is renal replacement therapy, which can be accomplished by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation.

How do you treat atypical HUS?

aHUS is commonly treated with a drug called eculizumab. For now, it is the only medicine approved in the United States to treat aHUS. Eculizumab can improve platelet and red blood cell counts. It may also reverse acute kidney injury and prevent kidney failure if it is taken soon enough.

What medications can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome?

Cisplatin, one of the most frequently used antineoplastic drugs, also induces HUS. Cyclosporin causes HUS, probably due to endothelial damage and/or an inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis. A case of FK506 induced HUS has been recently reported. Quinine and Cocaine also can induce HUS.

What causes atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome ( aHUS )?

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that affects multiple organs and the kidneys in particular. aHUS can be sporadic or familial and is most commonly caused by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway.

Are there any orphan drugs that treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome?

Learn more orphan products. FDA-approved indication: September 2011, eculizumab (Soliris) was approved for the treatment of atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease.

What kind of TMA is hemolytic uremic syndrome?

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is another category of TMA that is associated with microthrombi mainly in the kidneys; and can be classified into typical HUS and atypical HUS (aHUS).

How is hemolytic uremic syndrome ( HUS ) defined?

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is defined by the triad of mechanical hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal impairment.