title: Is complement a culprit in infection-induced forms of haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
abstract: Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) accounts for the most common cause of childhood acute renal failure. Characterized by the classical triad of a microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and acute renal failure, HUS occurs as a result of Shiga-toxin producing microbes in 90% of cases. The remaining 10% of cases represent a heterogeneous subgroup in which inherited and acquired forms of complement dysregulation have been described in up to 60%. Emerging evidence suggests that microbes associated with HUS exhibit interaction with the complement system. With the advent of improved genetic diagnosis, it is likely that certain cases of infection-induced HUS may be attributed to underlying defects in complement components. This review summarises the interplay between complement and infection in the pathogenesis of HUS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. sally.johnson@lineone.net
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Aoife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waters
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000276:immunology; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000276:immunology; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D022603:Shiga Toxins; D003165:Complement System Proteins