Radhakrishnan ST, Ruban A, Uthayakumar AK, Cohen P, Levy J, Teare J. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome - a rare case report of bloody diarrhoea in adults.
BMC Gastroenterol 2019;
19:156. [PMID:
31462210 PMCID:
PMC6714094 DOI:
10.1186/s12876-019-1071-4]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome is a rarely seen in adults often leading to critical illness. This case highlights how difficult it can be to establish a diagnosis and treat when a patient presents with bloody diarrhoea.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 17-year-old Iraqi man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. He was initially treated as acute appendicitis, undergoing an appendectomy but following a recurrence in his symptoms a colonoscopy was performed. A diagnosis of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli leading to HUS was suspected following histology obtained at colonoscopy and this was confirmed on antibody testing. Despite intravenous fluids and supportive therapy the patient's symptoms and condition deteriorated. He developed seizures and acute renal failure requiring intubation and plasma exchange in the intensive care setting. He eventually required treatment with ecluzimab therapy; a monoclonal antibody and subsequently made a full recovery.
CONCLUSIONS
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome is a triad of progressive renal failure, thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia which is a condition rarely seen in adults. It is usually associated with an E. coli infection and supportive therapy remains the mainstay of treatment.
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