Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical entity defined by the triad of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. It is classified under 'Other' in the AU NINDSS surveillance system and is included in national lists of notifiable diseases, indicating its public health relevance. The disease may be associated with exposure to certain toxins (e.g., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), post-transplant immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., cyclosporin A), or genetic predisposition, though these associations are not confirmed in the current source material.

The syndrome typically presents with non-specific prodromal symptoms followed by the hallmark triad: anaemia due to mechanical red cell destruction, low platelet count, and rapidly progressive renal dysfunction. In severe cases, it may lead to end-stage renal disease, neurological complications, or death. The course and severity are highly variable depending on underlying cause and patient age; however, no specific clinical progression, duration, or complication rates are described in the available source snippets.

HUS is reported globally and is included in lists of notifiable diseases, suggesting regional variation in surveillance obligations. Its incidence is higher in children, particularly following diarrhoeal illness caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, although this association is not explicitly stated in the provided sources. No data on geographic distribution, seasonal patterns, or population-level burden are present in the source snippets.

Transmission of HUS is not direct; rather, it is secondary to exposure to causative agents such as enteric pathogens (e.g., STEC) or pharmacologic agents (e.g., cyclosporin A). No information on environmental reservoirs, vector involvement, or person-to-person spread is available in the source snippets.

Children, especially those with recent diarrhoeal illness, and individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., post-renal transplant patients) are considered at increased risk. However, no explicit risk group descriptions are provided in the source snippets beyond the mention of cyclosporin A use in one article title.

Preventive strategies would logically include food safety measures to reduce exposure to Shiga toxin-producing bacteria, careful monitoring of immunosuppressive regimens in transplant recipients, and early recognition of risk factors. However, no specific prevention guidelines, vaccine recommendations, or public health interventions are described in the source snippets.

As a surveillance concept under AU NINDSS and listed among notifiable diseases, HUS should be monitored for case detection, outbreak investigation, and trend analysis across jurisdictions. Surveillance systems should capture diagnostic criteria, clinical outcomes, and potential exposures to support timely public health response. Source-backed detail on case definitions, reporting thresholds, or data quality metrics is not available in the current evidence base.

1. 1 Wikidata. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) during treatment with cyclosporin A after renal transplantation - is tacrolimus the answer?.
2. 2 Wikipedia. List of notifiable diseases.

ICD-10

ICD-11

Total cases

380

Peak month

2005-12

Coverage

1 reporting countries · 2000-01-01 → 2026-05-01