Case series: hemolytic uremic syndrome--another cause of transplant dysfunction

Renal transplantation is the optimal treatment for suitable patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, acute graft dysfunction occurs in 5%-35% of patients. This is commonly due to acute rejection, drug toxicity, ureteric obstruction, or infection. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), either recurrent or de novo, is uncommon after transplantation.

We highlight three cases of acute transplant dysfunction in which transplant biopsy revealed HUS without associated clinical or hematologic clues to the etiology. Two cases had recurrent HUS and 1 had de novo HUS secondary to tacrolimus therapy. Screenings for ADAMTS-13 and gene mutations of complement regulatory proteins were negative. Thrombocytopenia and red blood cell fragments on blood film appeared some days later.

Treatment comprised a combination of plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma and switching immunosuppressive therapy, which led to the recovery of the above hematologic features but salvaged graft function in only 1 case.

Classical hematologic findings of HUS appeared late in these cases. HUS should be considered in cases of allograft dysfunction where there is no obvious cause, and biopsy should be performed. This enables early initiation of therapy to gain rapid recovery of hematologic parameters and potentially of transplant function.