Haemolytic-Uraemic Syndrome in an Adult with Pericarditis and Pleurisy

Abstract

The haemolytic-uraemic syndrome was first described in children, and since then numerous cases have been reported. Brain reviewed the subject in 1969. There have been few reports of adult cases (Dunea et al., 1964; Waddell and Matz, 1966; Clarkson et al., 1970; Giromini et al., 1972). The usual manifestations are renal failure and intravascular haemolysis, and, less commonly, neurological disturbances and liver damage. There are a few reports of cardiac and pulmonary involvement, mostly appearing to be due to complications of the syndrome—for example, uraemia or infection—than to microangiopathy. We present a further case in an adult, who developed pericarditis and pleurisy as a primary manifestation of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome and also showed a very favourable response to a new form of therapy. © 1973, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.