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Updated: May 15, 2026
09:12
A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Clostridium difficile infection
Clinical Nephrology
|January 17, 2013
Summary
Clostridium difficile infection can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) with kidney damage. This condition, characterized by thrombotic microangiopathy, should be considered in patients with diarrhea-associated HUS.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe condition often associated with infections.
- Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a hallmark of HUS, affecting small blood vessels.
- Clostridium difficile is a common cause of infectious diarrhea.
Observation:
- Three cases of Clostridium difficile-associated HUS with biopsy-proven renal TMA are presented.
- Two patients were kidney transplant recipients; one had native kidney failure.
- All patients presented with acute diarrhea and detected Clostridium difficile toxin in stool.
Findings:
- Stool studies excluded other common enteric pathogens like E. coli and Shigella.
- Diagnosis of C. difficile-associated HUS was based on thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal TMA.
- Renal failure was attributed to TMA secondary to Clostridium difficile infection.
Implications:
- Clostridium difficile infection is a potential cause of diarrhea-associated HUS.
- This highlights the importance of considering C. difficile in the differential diagnosis of HUS.
- Early recognition and treatment of C. difficile infection may be crucial in preventing severe renal complications.
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