The role of the endothelium in hemolytic uremic syndrome

C Zoja1, M Morigi, G Remuzzi

  • 1Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy.

Journal of Nephrology
|January 19, 2002
PubMed

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children, is caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection. This infection leads to renal and other organ microvascular thrombosis. Endothelial injury has been recognized as the trigger event in the development of microangiopathic process. Evidence suggests that leukocyte as well as platelet activation participate in endothelial damage. Intrinsic abnormalities of the complement system may also play a role in HUS.

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