title: Complements Spurned: Our Experience with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.
abstract: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disorder resulting from a dysregulated activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system. It results in significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated promptly. It lends itself to myriad renal and extrarenal manifestations, all potentially disabling. Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody to complement C5 is now the widely accepted norm for treatment. However, in resource-limited settings, plasma exchange if instituted early may be as beneficial. We report a case of aHUS treated with extended plasma exchange with excellent results. Critical care monitoring is essential for the management of the disease in view of a tendency to develop multiple complications. Long-term immunosuppression may be successful in maintaining remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Vidya S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Nagar
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rudrarpan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ankita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Basavaraj
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sajjan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Aniruddha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaushik
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sameer V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Vyahalkar
keywords: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome; complement system; eculizumab; plasma exchange; thrombotic microangiopathy