Prostacyclin concentrations in haemolytic uraemic syndrome after acute shigellosis in children

Pathogenesis of Shiga toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome

The aim of this review is to examine recent advances in experimental and clinical research relevant to the pathogenesis of diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome with special reference to histopathologic findings, virulence factors of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, the host response, and the prothrombotic state. Despite significant advances during the past decade, the exact mechanism by which Shiga toxin-producing E. coli leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome remains unclear. Factors such as Shiga toxin, lipopolysaccharide, the adhesins intimin and E. coli-secreted proteins A, B, and D, the 60-MD plasmid, and enterohemolysin likely contribute to the pathogenesis. Data on the inflammatory response of the host, including leukocytes and inflammatory mediators, are updated. The pathogenesis of the prothrombotic state leading to thrombocytopenia secondary to endothelial cell damage and platelet activation is also discussed. A hypothetical sequence of events from ingestion of the bacteria to the development of full-blown hemolytic uremic syndrome is proposed.

Prostacyclin in diarrhoea-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome

The role of prostacyclin (PGI2) in the pathogenesis of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is controversial. In part, confusion has been caused by failure to distinguish between two main sub-types of the syndrome: extrinsic, diarrhoea-associated HUS (D+ HUS), usually caused by infection with verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli or Shigella dysenteriae, and the heterogeneous group of non-prodromal forms where intrinsic factors predominate (D- HUS). This paper critically reviews data confined to D+ HUS. Two methods have been used to assess PGI2 synthesis; the generation of PGI2 from endothelium in the presence of HUS plasma in vitro and the measurement of stable metabolites in body fluids. No concensus could be reached with regard to the former. The reported increase of PGI2 stable metabolites in plasma may represent reduced clearance or increased carriage by plasma lipids. Apparent differences between studies of urinary excretion of PGI2 metabolites may reflect the way excretion was expressed. If the metabolite concentration is factored for urinary creatinine, it appears that renal excretion and thus renal synthesis of PGI2 is reduced. However, these are insufficient data on which to attribute the pathogenesis of D+ HUS to disordered PGI2 metabolism.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome

HUS is one of the most common causes of acute renal failure in childhood. D+ HUS is the most common form and usually follows an episode of hemorrhagic colitis due to VTEC or S. dysenteriae type 1. The SLT elaborated by these organisms is responsible for the endothelial damage that is the initial insult in the pathogenesis of the acute renal failure. Excellent supportive care is necessary to reduce the mortality and morbidity due to HUS.