Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

In a young girl, thrombotic microangiopathy — a group of disorders, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), that are marked by organ damage caused by the formation of blood clots inside small blood vessels — occurred secondary to a sudden spike in blood pressure. Because the opposite is more…

A team of five experts from across Spain got together to reach a consensus on a set of recommendations for how to best manage atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in adults. The consensus offers guidance for doctors with less experience in managing the disease. It covers the entire patient…

A rare mutation in the CFHR5 gene may have led to the excessive activation of the immune complement system, triggering atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a 5-year-old girl, a case study reports. The mutation in CFHR5 (which stands for complement factor H-related protein 5) was found to reduce…

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease signed off on a letter of intent in Canada that brings Ultomiris (ravulizumab) — approved in the country for certain people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) — a step closer to becoming available under public drug plans. The letter, to the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical…

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 may protect people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) from the infection’s severe complications, without raising major safety issues, a small study finds. Receiving a double booster shot may be important to provide full protection, especially for transplant patients. “Our findings support the use of COVID-19…

Plasma exchange combined with rituximab, an immunosuppressant, might prevent atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) from coming back after a kidney transplant, according to a small study from India. The study, “Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome,” was published in Transplantation Proceedings. aHUS is…

Disease-causing variants in complement genes appear to be uncommon in children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) caused by autoantibodies against complement factor H (CFH), an Indian study found. The study, “Variants in complement genes are uncommon in patients with anti-factor H autoantibody-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome,” was published…

After the successful treatment with Soliris (eculizumab) of a 20-year-old man experiencing a flare-up of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), his medical team called for the therapy to be made available to all aHUS patients, despite its high cost. “[Soliris] should be started early if plasmapheresis [plasma exchange…

Children who develop atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) due to autoantibodies may have an upper airway or digestive tract infection as an initial symptom, according to a report detailing eight such pediatric aHUS cases in China. Likely treatment could involve the use of plasma exchange, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents, its…

A blood test may help doctors tell a pregnancy complication called HELLP syndrome from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a small study found. The test measures the ratio of two proteins — lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to aspartate aminotransferase (AST) — that signify damage to tissues…