[Verocytotoxin positive haemolytic uremic syndrome and HIV-associated nephropathy]

Haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) are common renal diseases in the course of HIV-infected patients.

We report the case of a 13-month-old Caucasian boy hospitalised for a verocytotoxin positive HUS associated with HIV infection. After the acute phase of HUS the creatinine level returned to normal values. Because of progressive renal failure with severe overload hypertension and glomerular proteinuria despite antiretroviral therapy and angiotensine converting enzyme inhibitor, the child required peritoneal dialysis 12 months later. Clinical and biological course together with pathological findings were consistent with both typical HUS and HIVAN.

This is the first paediatric case of typical HUS revealing a HIVAN. The association of HUS and HIVAN may explain the progression to end-stage renal failure despite antiretroviral therapy associated with angiotensine converting enzyme inhibitor and a good control of HIV replication. HIVAN is rare in children and may occur in the early phase of HIV infection even not only in black patients.