A 'silent', new polymorphism of factor H and apparent de novo atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome after kidney transplantation

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Dec 23:2014:bcr2014207630. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-207630.

Abstract

The pathophysiology of atypical haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (aHUS) occurring de novo after renal transplantation may include genetic mutations of regulators of complement activation, but they are still rarely determined. A 41-year-old female renal transplant recipient presented two very different episodes of thrombotic microangiopathy. The first episode was associated with antibody-mediated rejection and the second was an isolated, acute aHUS, successfully treated with eculizumab. The diagnosis included a genetic analysis and we found a synonymous variant in the Complement Factor H (CFH) gene, c2634C>T (p.His878=) and low factor H (FH) activity during both events. In conclusion, the diagnosis of aHUS should be considered when TMA is associated with an AMR episode. In this setting, a silent polymorphism of factor H may be responsible for these rare cases of "de novo" aHUS after transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / etiology
  • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / genetics*
  • Complement Factor H / genetics*
  • Complement Factor H / metabolism
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Kidney / surgery
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Mutation*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / genetics
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / diagnosis
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / drug therapy
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / etiology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Complement Factor H
  • eculizumab