News

Surgery to remove gallstones can give rise to aHUS: Study

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) can be a rare complication of a procedure to remove gallstones, according to a report in the U.S. that describes the case of a teenage girl who developed the condition secondary to post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. The study, “Atypical hemolytic…

Plasma exchange therapy, Ultomiris manage woman’s aHUS

Early plasma exchange therapy followed by Ultomiris  (ravulizumab) treatment successfully managed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in an 83-year-old woman, according to a report from Japan. The woman started showing symptoms of aHUS after a bone fracture. Genetic testing revealed she had a mutation in the CFI gene,…

Report aims to help distinguish aHUS disease vs. HELLP syndrome

The pregnancy-related complication HELLP syndrome — fully known as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome, which causes high blood pressure and organ damage — is sometimes confused with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, or aHUS, a rare disease in which kidney dysfunction persists for a long time, especially…

Soliris reduces kidney risks from pregnancy-associated aHUS: Study

Soliris (eculizumab) largely reduces the risk of long-term kidney problems in women who develop atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) during or after pregnancy, a meta-analysis study has found. “This analysis highlights the severe kidney and pregnancy outcomes associated with [pregnancy-associated aHUS],” researchers wrote, noting Soliris treatment is beneficial…

Interactive e-book aims to help children better understand aHUS

An interactive electronic storybook, or e-book, designed to help children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) better understand their rare disease, has been launched by Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, which markets two aHUS therapies. Called “Revealing the Secrets of aHUS,” the fantasy e-book uses imaginative play to…

Pregnant woman diagnosed with aHUS after she was induced early

Timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment were crucial for the recovery of a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) after she was induced at 30 weeks of pregnancy, researchers in China report. “Clinical data and treatment experiences related to pregnancy-associated aHUS remain limited. This…

COVID-19 triggers aHUS in boy, 13, case report details

COVID-19 triggered atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a 13-year-old boy with a genetic predisposition to the syndrome, a recent case study reports. Treatment with plasma exchange therapy, a type of blood-cleansing procedure, was effective, and the boy fully recovered. “This case highlights the potential of COVID-19 to trigger…

Gallbladder surgery triggers aHUS in woman, 20: Case study

A previously healthy 20-year-old woman developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) after having surgery to remove her gallbladder shortly after giving birth, according to a recent case study. The woman was treated successfully with Soliris (eculizumab) and with no complications. The case shows “minimally invasive surgeries done within…

Teva gains US marketing rights for Soliris biosimilar Epysqli

Under a new commercialization agreement with Samsung Bioepis, the developer of Epysqli (eculizumab-aagh), Teva Pharmaceuticals will have exclusive marketing rights in the U.S. for the Soliris (eculizumab) biosimilar — an approved treatment for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to…