News

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…

Adults with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) who switched from Soliris (eculizumab) to long-acting Ultomiris (ravulizumab) in a real-world setting experienced no new side effects or worsening of symptoms for up to a year, a study has found. Switching to Ultomiris may be more convenient for patients…

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has launched the Rare Kidney Disease Action Network (RKDAN), an initiative to raise awareness and give greater voice to people with rare kidney disorders, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). AKF will work along with the more than 60 people already enrolled in…

Early treatment with plasma exchange, or plasmapheresis, followed by the immunosuppressant rituximab helped a 2-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a case of severe atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a study in India reports. The report showcases how “young children with [aHUS] may present with a severe clinical course…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bkemv (eculizumab-aeeb), the first interchangeable biosimilar to Soliris (eculizumab), to treat people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). A biosimilar is a medication highly similar to a reference biologic — a medication made from natural, living sources like bacteria —…

Researchers in Mexico described the series of events that led to a diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a 22-year-old pregnant woman. The case highlights the need for vigilance, as well as prompt diagnosis and treatment, they said. The report, “Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) welcomes the advancement, by the U.S. House of Representative’s Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, of “critical” bills that encourage rare disease therapy development and improve patient access to care. The nonprofit organization, which supports rare disease patients through advocacy, research funding, education,…

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 (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…

Use of the drug Soliris (eculizumab) effectively treated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a pregnant woman in her 30s who developed the rare disease after having placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth. Her case was described…