Plasma Exchange Potentially Beneficial for Diarrhea-Associated HUS

Five patients with diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome showed improved renal function and normal neurological status after plasma exchanges.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) developed in about 25% of individuals who were infected with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli serotype O104:H4 as part of the European outbreak in 2011 (JW Infect Dis Jun 29 2011). Limited data are available about treatment options for such patients. Now, researchers report the results of plasma exchange by centrifugation and substitution of fresh frozen plasma.

Five unrelated adults hospitalized in Denmark with enteritis, bloody diarrhea, acute hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, and progressive neurological impairment after visiting Germany in May 2011 were treated with daily plasma exchanges (median, 5 exchanges; range, 3–6). Of the five patients, four were women; median age was 6…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine