The Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) is one of the causes of kidney failure. It occurs when the blood vessels to the kidney become damaged. This damage then results in destruction of red blood cells which then block the kidney vessels.

HUS can have several causes. The commonest form occurs in a small percentage of people is following food poisoning with a bacteria called E. coli 0157. These bacteria are carried in the gut of animals, especially cattle. Infection occurs by eating under-cooked meat products, e.g. pies, beefburgers or by poor preparation of vegetables contaminated e.g. by manure.

The majority of people with food poisoning recover but some may developHUS. Of these the majority recover kidney function, however in some, especially the elderly, it may be life threatening.

A much rarer form of HUS occurs in some patients due to a genetic abnormality of a blood protein called Factor H. This protein would normally help to prevent HUS developing. The protein may be abnormal because of genetic mutations which lead to the formation of defective or
insufficient Factor H. Very rarely it may be completely absent.

For patients who have HUS it appears that the condition has a tendency to recur if these people receive a kidney transplant, meaning much thought must be given in this situation.

Many people are interested in working on this condition. The scientists on the human genome project have recently worked out the structure of the whole Factor H gene. We are using this information in Newcastle to try and understand how Factor H is changed in people with HUS and how this maythen cause the disease. We have many questions still to answer.