title: Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Entamoeba histolytica intestinal infection.
abstract: Amebiasis secondary to Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, mainly in developing countries. An association between amebic dysentery and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has been mentioned, but a cause-and-effect relationship has never been confirmed. We report the case of an 11-year-old healthy white female who developed severe bloody diarrhea after drinking contaminated unboiled water, developing classic HUS and requiring acute intermittent hemodialysis. The etiological study confirmed numerous cysts and hematophagous trophozoites of E. histolytica on stool smear, but without evidence of other pathogens. This report contributes to the concept that classic post-diarrheal HUS, usually related to colitis secondary to enterohemorragic Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (E.coli) strains, may be associated with other pathogens, including E. histolytica. Additional information regarding mechanisms of virulence of E. histolytica and host immunological reaction is needed to clarify the temporal association of these two disorders (HUS and amebiasis).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University School of Medicine, Lira 85, 5 Piso, Santiago, Chile. fcavagna@med.puc.cl
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavagnaro
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications*