文摘
Hemolytic and uremic syndrome (HUS) is defined by mechanical intravascular hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Most HUS, which are not due to shigatoxin-producing Escherichia Coli, present as primary disease called atypical HUS which is due to abnormal control of complement activation. Before the era of specific treatment, prognosis was severe since 2 to 10% of patients died during the first year and one third progressed to end-stage renal disease. Understanding the role of complement lead to a new therapeutic approach based on eculizumab, a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal anti-C5 immunoglobulin G which blocks C5 cleavage. Eculizumab has proven its efficiency with 85% of success in both plasma-resistant and dependent patients, allowing a better control of the disease than plasma therapy when considering renal function. Eculizumab is recommended to date as first-line treatment in children and as soon as the main secondary HUS causes have been ruled out in adults. Eculizumab should be systematically considered in case of resistance to 3- daily plasma exchanges, defined by persistent thrombocytopenia but also ongoing hemolysis or lack of improvement in renal function.