Hemolytic+Uremic+Syndrome


 * Name of disease:** __Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome __

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a disease that is brought on by infection from a shiga-toxigenic //E. coli// (STEC). Infection with //E. coli// O157:H7 or //E. coli// O104:H4 from contaminated food can induce this disease. There are also cases of familial or atypical HUS that is brought about a mutation in a single or multiple genes associated with the alternative pathway (Jokiranta et al., 2007).
 * Root cause of disease:**

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a disease that affects endothelial cells, erythrocytes and kidney cells (Loirat et al., 2011).
 * Affected cell types/tissues/organs/systems:**

Many deaths from HUS come in the form of acute renal failure, or kidney failure (Loirat et al., 2011). A notable case of //E. coli// O104:H4 infection in Europe in 2011 caused 3816 infections, 845 cases of HUS, and 54 deaths. Outbreaks such as the one in Europe have happened in the United States but aren't this large of scale (CDC, 2011).
 * Historical background:**

Figure 1. After ingestion of STEC a series of events can occur afterwards. These events can be non-serious (Diarrhea) to extremely serious that requires hospitalization (ARF: Acute Renal Failure). Loirat et al., (2011).
 * Common symptoms:**

Treatment of HUS is different if one has a STEC infection or a genetic mutation that causes HUS, as one would believe. There are not that many medical treatments for those who suffer from a genetic disorder that causes HUS (Jokiranta et al., 2007). If infected with STEC, the first thing to do is to clear the bacteria out of the system by the use of antibiotics. Usually patients with HUS do not develop anything more than diarrhea and are monitored until health is restored, usually an IV to rehydrate the patient is provided. Dialysis is typically done if there is a risk of kidney damage or failure (Loirat et al., 2011).
 * Standard treatments:**

There is much research being done on atypical HUS and STEC induced HUS. Both cases of HUS can inflict permanent damage or death to an individual if not treated well. Research being done on preventing STEC from infected produce has been a hot topic in food safety (Brandl, 2006). Additionally, preventive measures are being done at the source of the problem in farms and manufacturing facilities (Harris et al. 2003). As far as atypical HUS, research is being done to help individuals that carry the gene mutations (Jokiranta et al., 2007).
 * Current research:**


 * References:**

Brandl, M. T. (2006). Fitness of human enteric pathogens on plants and implications for food safety. //Annual Review of Phytopathology//. 44: 367-392.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2011) Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks – United States, 2008. //Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report//. 60: 1197-1202.

Harris LJ, Farber JN, Beuchat LR, Parish ME, Suslow TV, Garrett EH, & Busta FF (2003) Outbreaks Associated with Fresh Produce: Incidence, Growth, and Survival of Pathogens in Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce. //Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety//. 2: 78-141

Jokiranta TS, Zipfel PF, Fremeaux-Bacchi V, Taylor CM, Goodship TJH & Noris M (2007) Where next with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome? //Molecular Immunology//. 44: 3889-3900.

Loirat C, Saland J & Bitzan M (2011) Management of hemolytic uremic syndrome. //In Presse Medicale//. 41: e115-e135.