Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Shigellosis: a report of 8 cases

During an outbreak of dysentery in the Northeastern part of Thailand, eight cases of HUS were admitted to Srinagarind Hospital from April to September 1987. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 6 years (mean age = 2.4 years). All patients had prodromal symptoms of mucous bloody diarrhea. The stool culture was positive for Shigella dysentery type I in one case. The treatment included blood transfusion, peritoneal dialysis, exchange transfusion and supportive treatment. One patient died from nosocomial septicemia. For the survivors, platelets count returned to normal after 7 to 19 days (mean 12.8 days). The duration of azotemia ranged from 12 to 36 days (mean = 20 days). One patient was azotemic during 40 days of hospitalization.