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Tailored eculizumab therapy in the management of complement factor H-mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in an adult kidney transplant recipient: a case report
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Tailored eculizumab therapy in the management of complement factor H-mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in an adult kidney transplant recipient: a case report

L Xie, C M Nester, A I Reed, Y Zhang, R J Smith and C P Thomas
Transplantation proceedings, Vol.44(10), pp.3037-3040
12/2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.07.141
PMID: 23195022

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Abstract

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury (AKI) which frequently progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In 50% of affected patients, mutations in complement regulatory proteins cause inappropriate complement activation with endothelial injury. Complement factor H (CFH) mutations cause 25% of aHUS cases; these patients have an 80% recurrence risk after kidney transplantation. Eculizumab, an anti-C5 antibody, is effective in limiting hemolysis episodes in patients with aHUS, but less is known about preventing recurrence after kidney transplantation. Herein we report the use of prophylactic eculizumab in an adult with aHUS who underwent kidney transplantation. A 31-year-old female presented with aHUS and progressive AKI associated with low complement 3 level leading to ESRD despite plasmapheresis and corticosteroids. She had a heterozygous nonsense mutation in CFH and reduced plasma CFH levels. She was given preoperative plasmapheresis and eculizumab and underwent living unrelated renal transplantation. Postoperatively, eculizumab was dosed to achieve low functional complement 5 levels and low soluble membrane attack complex levels and she has maintained excellent graft function without aHUS recurrence. We propose that eculizumab with titrated dosing should be used in CFH-mediated aHUS patients who are at a high risk of recurrence.
Complement Factor H - antagonists & inhibitors Humans Living Donors Secondary Prevention Acute Kidney Injury - surgery Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome - genetics Drug Dosage Calculations Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - administration & dosage Time Factors Adult Female Acute Kidney Injury - immunology Drug Therapy, Combination Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome - prevention & control Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage Complement Factor H - immunology Kidney Failure, Chronic - immunology Kidney Failure, Chronic - surgery Drug Administration Schedule Treatment Outcome Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome - immunology Disease Progression Plasmapheresis Mutation Complement Factor H - genetics Drug Monitoring Graft Survival - drug effects Kidney Transplantation - immunology Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

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