Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

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…

A diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) was delayed in a woman with a history of advanced, but treated, cancer due to several confounding factors partly related to that cancer, according to a case report from the U.S. While the woman also had anemia and poor kidney function, two hallmarks…

Soliris (eculizumab) may help to control microangiopathy — a disease affecting small vessels — and restore kidney function in newborns with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), according to a recent case report. The report, “Neonatal atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in the eculizumab era,” was published…