Faculty Opinions recommendation of Terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab in atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihab Wahba
Keyword(s):  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Terminal Complement

scholarly journals Terminal Complement Inhibitor Eculizumab in Atypical Hemolytic–Uremic Syndrome

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (23) ◽  
pp. 2169-2181 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Legendre ◽  
C. Licht ◽  
P. Muus ◽  
L.A. Greenbaum ◽  
S. Babu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Terminal Complement

Use of eculizumab in pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenal Misal ◽  
Megha Gupta ◽  
Lawrence D. Platt ◽  
Neil S. Silverman ◽  
Christina S. Han
Keyword(s):  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Thrombotic Microangiopathy ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Complement Pathway ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Terminal Complement

Abstract Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (p-aHUS) is a rare disorder, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 25,000 pregnancies [Fakhouri F, Roumenina L, Provot F, Sallee M, Caillard S, Couzi L, et al. Pregnancy-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome revisited in the era of complement gene mutations. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010;21:859–67.]. Unlike classic hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), aHUS is not related to Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infections. Rather, it arises from uncontrolled alternative complement pathway activation leading to diffuse endothelial damage. The formation of the resulting fibrin and platelet microthrombi in the vasculature leads to hemolysis, thrombocytopenia and ischemic end-organ damage in the form of acute kidney injury [Noris M, Remuzzi G. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1676–87; Legendre CM, Licht C, Muus P, Greenbaum LA, Babu S, Bedrosian C, et al. Terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab in atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:2169–81; Loirat C, Fremeaux-Bacchi V. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2011;6:60; Shen YM. Clinical evaluation of thrombotic microangiopathy: identification of patients with suspected atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Thromb J. 2016;14(Suppl 1):19.]. Triggers for hyperactivation of the complement pathway include infection, inflammation, malignancy, endothelium-affecting drugs, maternal-fetal hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia [Shen YM. Clinical evaluation of thrombotic microangiopathy: identification of patients with suspected atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Thromb J. 2016;14(Suppl 1):19.]. Thirty percent of individuals with aHUS are found to have mutations in the genes encoding complement regulatory proteins, such as protein factor H, complement factor I and complement 3 [Noris M, Remuzzi G. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1676–87; Loirat C, Fremeaux-Bacchi V. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2011;6:60.]. Outcomes of an untreated aHUS are poor: up to 50% of patients with aHUS progress to end-stage renal disease within a year and 25% die during the acute phase [Loirat C, Fremeaux-Bacchi V. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2011;6:60; Laurence J, Haller H, Mannucci PM, Nangaku M, Praga M, Rodriguez de Cordoba S. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS): essential aspects of an accurate diagnosis. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2016;14(Suppl 11):2–15.]. We present an unusual case of a 37-year-old primigravida who developed p-aHUS in the setting of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. She was successfully treated with a relatively novel medication; eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor. In contrast to previous reports of long-term treatment, she received a total of six doses of eculizumab and remained in remission at 12 months postpartum.

scholarly journals Terminal Complement Inhibitor Eculizumab in Adult Patients With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Single-Arm, Open-Label Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Fakhouri ◽  
Maryvonne Hourmant ◽  
Josep M. Campistol ◽  
Spero R. Cataland ◽  
Mario Espinosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Open Label Trial ◽  
Terminal Complement

scholarly journals A Challenging Case of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Young African American Patient

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4225-4225
Author(s):  
Urwat Til Vusqa ◽  
Palash Asawa ◽  
Yazan Samhouri ◽  
Rama Bhagavatula ◽  
Robert B. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
African American ◽  
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Thrombotic Microangiopathy ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Malignant Hypertension ◽  
Coagulation Cascade ◽  
Complement Factors ◽  
Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Terminal Complement

Abstract Background It is known that malignant hypertension (mHTN) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) commonly coexist. Deciding which phenomenon preceded the other remains a clinical dilemma, specifically in African American patients. However, making that determination is of utmost importance because the management will be different, and that can have dramatic effects on prognosis and outcomes. Herein, we report a case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) presenting as mHTN. Case Presentation A 35-year-old African American male with known history of hypertension, presented with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for four days. He also reported fatigue and exertional shortness of breath. Upon presentation, his blood pressure was 260/160 mmHg, otherwise physical exam was unremarkable. Initial work up showed hemoglobin of 8.8 g/dL (baseline 13.5), platelet count of 21,000/mL (baseline 250,000), serum creatinine of 16.99 mg/dL (baseline 0.99), MCV (84 fl), increased reticulocyte production index (3.58), increased LDH (1709 U/L), undetectable haptoglobin, and numerous schistocytes on peripheral blood smear. He was admitted as a case of hypertensive emergency and TMA. IV labetalol and hemodialysis were started. Given his gastrointestinal symptoms; stool for Shigella and E.Coli O157:H7 were checked and they were negative. Given the severity of his hematologic derangements and difficult to control blood pressure, we decided to proceed with renal biopsy to rule out primary aHUS which showed thrombotic microangiopathy, global glomerulosclerosis, moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy suggestive of aHUS or rheumatologic disorders like systemic sclerosis and arguing against malignant HTN as the sole player. ANA and anti-Scl-70 antibodies were negative. Final impression was aHUS by exclusion, and patient received meningococcal vaccines (Menactra and Bexsero) in preparation to start eculizumab. aHUS genetic panel was sent which came back equivocal as it showed mutations of unknown significance (homozygous missense mutation in the MASP2 gene and 2 heterozygous mutations in the C2 gene). He was started on eculizumab 900 mg weekly for 4 weeks then 1200 mg biweekly starting week 5. He was seen in the office 2 months after initial presentation and receiving 5 doses of Eculizumab. His kidney function showed improvement with > 2 liters of urine output daily, blood pressure was better controlled. A decision by nephrology was made to give him a break from dialysis and remains dialysis-free a year later. Discussion aHUS is a rare disorder with an estimated prevalence of seven per one million children in Europe. It causes uninhibited activation of complement factors that leads to renal endothelial damage and activation of coagulation cascade leading to TMA. The diagnosis of aHUS requires the fulfillment of the classical triad (microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure) with a positive gene mutation or antibodies to complement factors. However, absence of these mutations or antibodies, as in the presented case, do not exclude the diagnosis. The early diagnosis of aHUS is necessary for treatment with eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody against C5 to block the terminal complement cascade. Kidney biopsy can be helpful in equivocal cases especially if it shows only the typical changes of malignant hypertension which essentially rules out aHUS. Hypertension with concurrent TMA is treated with strict BP control which is often enough to resolve TMA features and restores renal function, at least partially. On the contrary, aHUS causing severe HTN needs more sophisticated testing and blockade of the terminal complement component to improve outcome; that's why the distinction of which one is the primary process is of utmost importance. Our case emphasizes the importance of having low threshold for testing for aHUS in patients with mHTN and TMA, especially in African American patients where malignant HTN is known to happen more commonly, and to notice the subtle hints that may help in this distinction, such as profound hemolysis or thrombocytopenia out of proportion to what one would expect from mHTN alone. Early recognition of aHUS may save a patient's kidney. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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