title: Complement factor H mutation associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with transformation to atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
abstract: A patient with a history of haemolytic anaemia and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1 since childhood developed relapsing atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) at the age of 18. Despite several episodes of relapsing aHUS, she was successfully treated with plasmapheresis. aHUS is strongly associated with disorders of the complement pathway. Diagnostic work-up of the patient revealed normal serum values of complement factor H, I, B and membrane cofactor protein (MCP). Genetic analysis showed a homozygous mutation in the factor H gene. Extraordinarily, the homozygous mutation in this patient causes a normal amount but hypothetically functionally defective factor H in the plasma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Janssen van Doorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium.
authors.forename: Eveline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dirinck
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium ; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics , Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Antwerp , Antwerpen , Belgium.
authors.forename: Gert A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Verpooten
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology-Hypertension , Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem, Antwerpen , Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Couttenye
keywords: MPGN type 1; atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome; complement factor H