Rare genetic variants in Shiga toxin-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome: genetic analysis prior to transplantation is essential

Abstract

We present a case of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in a 16-year-old female with serological evidence of acute <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 infection. She progressed to established renal failure and received a deceased donor kidney transplant. Shiga toxin-associated HUS (STEC-HUS) does not recur following renal transplantation, but unexpectedly this patient did experience rapid and severe HUS recurrence. She responded to treatment with the terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab and subsequent genetic analysis revealed a rare variant in a complement gene. This highlights the importance of genetic analysis in patients with STEC-HUS prior to renal transplantation so that management can be individualized.