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Haemolytic uremic syndrome following fire ant bites
Yi-Che Lee, Jyh-Seng Wang, Jeng-Chuan Shiang
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/ I-Shou University, No,1, Yida Rd,, Yanchao Dist,, Kaohsiung City 824, Taiwan. ed100367@edah.org.tw.
Background:
Haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe, life-threatening disease with symptoms such as haemolytic anaemia, renal failure, and a low platelet count. Possible aetiology includes bacterial infections, medication, post-hematopoietic cell transplantation, pregnancy, autoimmune disease, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Case Presentation:
We report the case of a 21-year-old healthy man who developed acute renal failure caused by HUS. Typical symptoms of HUS combined with severe uraemia developed following a large local reaction after suspected Solenopsis invicta (fire ant) bites. He was successfully treated with plasma exchange and achieved complete recovery of renal function.
Conclusion:
This is the first case illustrating a serious systemic reaction of HUS to fire ant bites, and highlights this severe complication in patients who sustain fire ant bites.
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