New England Journal of Medicine: Complement Blockade in Severe Shiga-Toxin–Associated HUS

The hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS), a thrombotic microangiopathy, most commonly occurs secondary to infection with Shiga-toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC-HUS), although rare, atypical forms are associated with abnormalities in complement-regulating proteins. The inhibition of terminal complement complex formation by the monoclonal C5 antibody eculizumab has recently been reported as a treatment for atypical HUS.1 [more...]