This study identified an association between the use of plasma treatment and poor long-term outcome and confirms already known risk factors for poor prognosis. Follow-up investigations for at least 5 years are recommended to detect late-emerging sequelae.

SummaryBackground and objectives This study evaluated the relevance of complement factor H (CFH)-related protein (CFHR) 1 deficiency in pediatric patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) by evaluating both the frequency of deletions in CFHR1 and the presence of complement factor H (CFH) antibodies.Design, setting, participants, & measurements A total of 116 patients (mainly from central Europe) and 118 healthy blood donors were included from 2001 to 2012. The presence of CFHR1 gene deletions was determined in 90 pediatric patients with aHUS and 118 controls by an easy, fast, and cheap PCR assay; 100 patients with aHUS and 42 controls were tested for CFH antibodies by ELISA. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate the clinical and laboratory data.Results Homozygous deletion in CFHR1 was detected in 32% of the patients with aHUS tested, compared with 2.5% of controls (P,0.001). CFH antibodies were present in 25% of the patients and none of the controls. CFH antibodies were detected in 82% of patients with homozygous CFHR1 gene deletion and in 6% of patients without. CFH antibody-positive patients with aHUS showed a significantly lower platelet nadir at disease onset and significantly less frequent involvement of the central nervous system than did antibody-negative patients. Antibody-positive patients also received plasma therapy more often.Conclusion Homozygous deletion in CFHR1 is strongly associated with occurrence of CFH antibodies in pediatric patients with aHUS. However, despite this apparent genetic disease predisposition, it cannot be considered an exclusive cause for aHUS. Initial presentation of Shiga toxin-negative HUS with severe thrombocytopenia and no central nervous system complications in pediatric patients is especially suspicious for CFH antibody aHUS.

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) are rare but severe disorders, characterized by endothelial cell activation and thrombus formation leading to hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and organ failure. Complement over activation in combination with defects in its regulation is described in an increasing number of TMA and if primary for the disease denominated as atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Although TMA predominantly affects the renal microvasculature, extra-renal manifestations are observed in 20% of patients including involvement of the central nerve system, cardiovascular system, lungs, skin, skeletal muscle, and gastrointestinal tract. Prompt diagnosis and treatment initiation are therefore crucial for the prognosis of disease acute phase and the long-term outcome. This review summarizes the available evidence on extra-renal TMA manifestations and discusses the role of acute and chronic complement activation by highlighting its complex interaction with inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial homeostasis.

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