Haemolytic Urinemic Syndrome Flashcards
When does Haemolytic Urinemic Syndrome occur?
When there is thrombosis within small blood vessels throughout the body.
What is Haemolytic Urinemic Syndrome triggered by?
Bacterial toxin called shiga toxin.
What is the shiga toxin produced by?
The e. coli 0157 bacteria (and shiga)
What does the e.coli 0157 bacteria cause?
Brief gastroenteritis, often with bloody diarrhoea.
When do the symptoms of HUS start?
Around 5 days after the onset of the diarrhoea
What are the symptoms of HUS?
Reduced urine output
Bloody diarrhoea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Low-grade pyrexia
Oliguria/anuria
Haematuria or dark brown urine
What is the classic triad of HUS?
• Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
• Acute kidney injury
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
What can be used in the management of HUS?
• Urgent referral to the paediatric renal unit for renal dialysis if required
• Antihypertensives if required
• Careful maintenance of fluid balance
• Blood transfusions if required
Where is the E.coli 0157 verotoxin usually acquired?
Undercooked meat
Petting farms
How can a patient with HUS patient appear?
Pale- secondary to anaemia
Jaundiced- secondary to haemolysis
Why might a patient with HUS experience bruising?
There may be bruising- secondary to thrombocytopenia
What investigations would you do in someone suspected of HUS?
full blood count:
U&E:
stool culture
What would you look for in a FBC of someone suspected of HUS?
Anaemia
Thrombocytopaenia
Fragmented blood film
What would you look for signs of in U&E’s in someone suspected of HUS?
Acute kidney injury
What would you look for in a stool culture of someone with HUS?
Evidence of STEC infection
PCR for Shiga toxins
