Pneumococcal infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Hemolytic uremic syndrome, one of the common causes of acute renal failure in children, is characterized by the triad of microangiopathy, haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. The diarrhoea-associated Hemolytic uremic syndrome is usually termed as a typical Hemolytic uremic syndrome. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon etiological pathogen for inducing Hemolytic uremic syndrome, and Streptococcus pneumoniae associated Hemolytic uremic syndrome is also termed as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
to report two pediatric cases of invasive S pneumoniae complicated with hemolytic uremic syndrome HUS.


METHODS
The first patient presented with pneumococcal pneumonia and empyema and the second patient presented with pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis. The two patients were under one year of age and required peritoneal dialysis with improvement of renal function in one; the other died.


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumococcal invasive disease may be a cause of severe HUS, so a high index of suspicion is mandatory to prompt appropriate diagnosis and management.
Tinsa
Faten
F
Department of Pediatrics B of the Children s Hospital of Tunis Department of Pediatrics, Monji Slim Hospital, Tunis.
Siala
Nadia
N
Ncibi
Nesrine
N
Fetni
Ilhem
I
Kasdalli
Kalthoum
K
Ben Jballah
Najla
N
Mehrezi
Ahmed
A
D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis