title: Haemolytic uremic syndrome following fire ant bites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe, life-threatening disease with symptoms such as haemolytic anaemia, renal failure, and a low platelet count. Possible aetiology includes bacterial infections, medication, post-hematopoietic cell transplantation, pregnancy, autoimmune disease, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 21-year-old healthy man who developed acute renal failure caused by HUS. Typical symptoms of HUS combined with severe uraemia developed following a large local reaction after suspected Solenopsis invicta (fire ant) bites. He was successfully treated with plasma exchange and achieved complete recovery of renal function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case illustrating a serious systemic reaction of HUS to fire ant bites, and highlights this severe complication in patients who sustain fire ant bites.
authors.forename: Yi-Che
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jyh-Seng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jeng-Chuan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Shiang
authors.forename: Ming-Kai
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Kai-Tai
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Min-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsi-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-Chun
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/ I-Shou University, No,1, Yida Rd,, Yanchao Dist,, Kaohsiung City 824, Taiwan. ed100367@edah.org.tw.
authors.forename: Shih-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D016896:Treatment Outcome