[Therapy for children with Shiga toxin-E. coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome]

Hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute nephropathy. Clinical features and outcome of children with HUS initiated by infections with Shiga toxin(Stx)-producing strains of Escherichia coli(E. coli) infection are different from those of patients with the other forms of HUS or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP). Childhood Stx-E. coli-associated HUS usually recovers spontaneously and dose not require specific treatments including plasma therapy. In contrast, a general consensus has been achieved that plasma exchange or infusion should always be tried in adult HUS/TTP to minimize the risk of death or long-term sequelae. In this paper, we briefly reviewed therapy for patients with Stx-E. coli-associated HUS.