Yang Hanze, Zhang Jingdong, Wu Hao, Xu Hongzhao, Xu Zhonggao
Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Front Immunol. 2025 Apr 8;16:1542973. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1542973. eCollection 2025.
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by dysregulation of the complement system. It is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Owing to its diverse and nonspecific clinical manifestations, early diagnosis of the condition is challenging and typically requires excluding other TMA-related conditions, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by infection. Accurate diagnosis relies on the recognition of typical TMA symptoms, laboratory testing, and the exclusion of other conditions. Treatments typically include plasma exchange, supportive care, and complement-targeted therapy. Eculizumab, a complement component 5 inhibitor, plays a crucial role in aHUS treatment in severe cases as well as when traditional interventions fail. In this case report, we described a female Han Chinese patient who developed aHUS following an upper respiratory tract infection, initially presented with intermittent seizures, and received treatment with eculizumab, plasma exchange, and hemodialysis. The patient ultimately remained dialysis-dependent; however, they achieved complete remission for other systemic complications of aHUS. We emphasized in this case report the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of aHUS as well as the potential value of eculizumab in improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, successful treatment and follow-up results provide insights into the management of this rare disease, including long-term dialysis requirements and disease monitoring after remission. Thus, clinicians can better understand the clinical manifestations of aHUS and its associated diagnostic challenges, treatment strategies, and long-term management needs.
非典型溶血性尿毒症综合征(aHUS)是一种由补体系统失调引起的罕见血栓性微血管病(TMA)。其特征为微血管病性溶血性贫血、血小板减少和急性肾损伤。由于其临床表现多样且缺乏特异性,该疾病的早期诊断具有挑战性,通常需要排除其他与TMA相关的疾病,如血栓性血小板减少性紫癜和感染所致的溶血性尿毒症综合征。准确的诊断依赖于对典型TMA症状的识别、实验室检查以及其他疾病的排除。治疗通常包括血浆置换、支持治疗和补体靶向治疗。依库珠单抗是一种补体成分5抑制剂,在重症aHUS治疗以及传统干预措施失败时发挥着关键作用。在本病例报告中,我们描述了一名中国汉族女性患者,她在上呼吸道感染后发生aHUS,最初表现为间歇性癫痫发作,并接受了依库珠单抗、血浆置换和血液透析治疗。患者最终仍依赖透析;然而,他们实现了aHUS其他全身并发症的完全缓解。我们在本病例报告中强调了aHUS及时诊断和治疗的重要性以及依库珠单抗在改善患者预后方面的潜在价值。此外,成功的治疗和随访结果为这种罕见疾病的管理提供了见解,包括长期透析需求和缓解后的疾病监测。因此,临床医生可以更好地了解aHUS的临床表现及其相关的诊断挑战、治疗策略和长期管理需求。