Endotoxemia in hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was diagnosed and confirmed by renal biopsy in an 18-year-old primigravida at the 13th week of pregnancy. Circulating endotoxin was detected and the endotoxemia was progressively reduced by hemodialysis (HD) performed daily from the 3rd to the 9th day of disease. Complete normalization of the renal function was observed on day 34. The authors emphasize the importance of detecting endotoxemia in HUS in order to initiate dialysis early; at the same time they also discuss the pathogenetic role of endotoxin in this disease.