Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Gut inflammation triggers rare case of aHUS in woman, 38

A 38-year-old woman in Portugal developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) despite showing no typical markers of the disease after she experienced gastrointestinal inflammation, according to a case report. “This case highlights the diagnostic and management challenges in aHUS when traditional disease markers are absent and emphasizes the importance…

Surgical stress can be potential trigger for aHUS: Case report

Hip surgery triggered atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a 49-year-old woman, who was successfully treated with plasma exchange, which is a blood-cleaning procedure, and kidney replacement therapy, according to a case study in India. A prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary collaboration, as well as early and aggressive treatment of…

aHUS Awareness Day 2024 will focus on mental health

This year’s aHUS Awareness Day, Sept. 24, will highlight mental health issues important to people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and their families. The annual event is being organized by the aHUS Alliance, an international umbrella organization that comprises patient groups and aHUS advocates to support patients,…

Woman develops aHUS after COVID-19 vaccine dose: Case report

A woman developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) after receiving the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a case study from Brazil. The researchers said the “connection of symptoms post-COVID-19 vaccination to aHUS … emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and research into vaccine-related complications.” The case…

Severe tick-borne infection leads to aHUS in woman: Case report

A woman in her 60s developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) as a result of severe babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic infection, according to a recent U.S. case report. Babesiosis is caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. The disease is transmitted from the bite of an infected tick…

aHUS disease in adolescence linked to permanent kidney function loss in study

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) starting during adolescence is associated with more permanent and severe kidney dysfunction when compared with infantile-onset disease, a study from Turkey reported. “In the long term, adolescents may have significant permanent loss of [kidney] functions and higher [end-stage kidney disease] rates,” the researchers wrote.

Soliris may induce remission of aHUS in children with anti-FH antibodies

Soliris (eculizumab) can effectively induce and maintain remission of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in children with autoantibodies that target complement factor H (FH). That’s according to a study that found the therapy reduced anti-FH antibodies no matter the type of immunosuppressive treatments used with it. They also…

Soliris effectively treated aHUS in young woman with SLE: Case report

Soliris (eculizumab) was used to effectively treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), another autoimmune condition, a case report shows. The therapy was safely discontinued without causing an aHUS relapse, while immunosuppressant treatments for SLE were maintained. This “case highlights…