Abstract

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the triad of thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Hemolytic uremic syndrome represents a heterogeneous group of disorders with variable etiologies that result in differences in presentation, management and outcome. In recent years, better understanding of the HUS, especially those due to genetic mutations in the alternative complement pathway have provided an update on the terminology, classification, and treatment of the disease. This review will provide the updated classification of the disease and the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches on the complement-mediated HUS in addition to STEC-HUS which is the most common cause of the HUS in childhood. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is defined by the simultaneous occurrence of nonimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. This leads to the pathological lesion termed thrombotic microangiopathy, which mainly affects the kidney, as well as other organs. HUS is associated with endothelial cell injury and platelet activation, although the underlying cause may differ. Most cases of HUS are associated with gastrointestinal infection with Shiga toxin-producing enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains. Atypical HUS (aHUS) is associated with complement dysregulation due to mutations or autoantibodies. In this review, we will describe the causes of HUS. In addition, we will review the clinical, pathological, haematological and biochemical features, epidemiology and pathogenetic mechanisms as well as the biochemical, microbiological, immunological and genetic investigations leading to diagnosis. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the different subtypes of HUS enables tailoring of appropriate treatment and management.