Case Report

Liver Manifestation of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated with Heterozygous Polymorphism C-332T>C in the Promoter of the Complement Factor H Gene - Case Report

Dorota Brodowska-Kania1, Aleksandra Paturej1, Ewa Kotwica-Strzałek1*, Marek Saracyn1, Michał Nowicki2 and Stanisław Niemczyk1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Poland
2Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation, Medical University of Lodz, Poland


*Corresponding author: Ewa Kotwica-Strzałek, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw Szaserów 128, 01-141 Warsaw, Poland


Published: 30 Jun, 2018
Cite this article as: Brodowska-Kania D, Paturej A, Kotwica-Strzałek E, Saracyn M, Nowicki M, Niemczyk S. Liver Manifestation of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated with Heterozygous Polymorphism C-332T>C in the Promoter of the Complement Factor H Gene - Case Report. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2018; 3: 1529.

Abstract

Background: Primary atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is caused by complement dysregulation. Diagnosis is based on determining the presence of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and the presence of schistocytes in the peripheral blood smear and damage to internal organs - most commonly the kidneys. Liver involvement as the main symptom of the disease is rare, making it difficult to recognize.
Case Presentation: We present a case of a 65 year old woman whose clinical picture was dominated by weakness, vomiting, jaundice, disturbances of consciousness, as well as characteristics of liver and kidney damage. Laboratory tests showed typical features of hemolytic anemia Hgb 9.3g%, high LDH, low haptoglobin, thrombocytopenia 116x109/l, signs of renal damage: creatinine 3.6mg/dl, and elevated bilirubin level 5.5mg/dl. Manual differential blood smear stated 6% to 8% schistocytes. Establishing a diagnosis was possible after genetic testing, which showed only a heterozygous polymorphism in the promoter of the factor H gene. Eculizumab was not an option (lack of registration in Poland), thus other methods of treatment were sought (infusions of plasma, plasmapheresis and corticosteroids).
Conclusion: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is not always acute. For carriers of the mutated gene, the image of the disease may be incomplete and precede in a chronic way that delays diagnosis. Hepatic manifestation of aHUS is casuistic in medicine and probably results from damage to the vascular endothelial cells in small hepatic vessels.
Keywords: Thrombotic microangiopathy; Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome; Complement factor H mutation; Case report


Abbreviations

aHUS: Atypical Hemolitic-Uremic Syndrome; STEC-HUS: Diarrhea-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome; TTP: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura; HGB: Hemoglobin; HCT: Hematocrit; RBC: Red Blood Cell Count; ALT: Alanine Transaminase; AST: Aspartate Transaminase; PLT: Platelets; INR: International Normalized Ratio; DD: Dimer D; ATIII: Antithrombin III; anti-LKM1: Anti-Liver-Kidney Microsome 1; ANCA: Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody; ANA: Antinuclear Antibody; SMA: Smooth Muscle Antibody; antidsDNA- anti-double stranded DNA; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; PET: Positron Emission Tomography; LDH: Lactate Dehydrogenase; CC3: Complement Component 3; FFP: Fresh Frozen Plasma; anti-MASP2; CFH: Complement Factor H; MCP: Membrane Cofactor Protein; CFI: Complement Factor I; CFB: Complement Factor B; THBD: Thrombomodulin; ADAMTS 13: Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif; member 13; MLDPA: Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification; DGKE: Diacylglycerol Kinase ε; SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus; HELLP: Syndrome Hemolytic Anemia; Elevated Liver Enzymes; Low Platelet Count; DIC: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; TMA: Thrombotic Microangiopathies; anti-CFH: Autoantibodies against Complement Factor H; EMA: European Medicine Agency


Background

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease associated with excessive complement activation [1,2,3]. Subsequent endothelial damage and disseminate coagulation lead to hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. These symptoms lie at the center of thrombotic microangiopathies: aHUS, diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody against compliment component 5, is the new standard of care for aHUS. As eculizumab was not registered in Poland during patient’s hospitalization, other methods of treatment were sought (plasma infusion, plasma exchange and glicocortycosteroids). Following case of aHUS is unique for the predominance of liver symptoms and the chronic clinical course.


Presentation Case

We present a case of a 65-year old woman, Caucasian race, body weight of 56 kg, who was admitted to Tertiary Nephrologic Center with postprandial vomiting, recurrent vertigo and general asthenia. Clinical examination revealed xanthochromia and liver enlargement (5 cm beneath the ribcage). Three years prior to first hospitalization a routine examination during a surgical provision of left arm fracture revealed a bilirubin level of 2 mg/dl. No chronic diseases in patient medical history. At the age of 31 patients gave birth to a healthy daughter, with no complications during pregnancy and childbirth. During present hospitalization laboratory tests showed: anemia (hemoglobin HGB 9.3g/l, hematocrit HCT 27%, red blood cell count RBC 2.84x1012/l), kidney and liver dysfunction (creatinine 3.6 mg/dl, urea 72 mg/dl, bilirubin 5.5 mg/dl, alanine transaminase ALT 20 U/l, aspartate transaminase AST 46 U/l), moderate thrombocytopenia (platelets PLT 116x109/l) and the following coagulation disorders: prolonged international normalized ratio (INR), an increased D-Dimer and a decreased antithrombin 3 value (ATIII). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an oval focal lesion in the left liver lobe (decreased echogenicity, 14 mm in diameter) and numerous cysts in the right liver lobe. In CT scan, in both lobes of the liver visible several outbreaks of ~8mm in diameter. Liver was slightly enlarged, with a reduced coefficient of extinction (approx. 45 J.H.), Figure 1. During the diagnostic process no biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted due to thrombocytopenia and the presence of a metal plate in the left arm, Figure 2. A whole body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) showed no intensified glucose uptake. Tests for viral and autoimmune hepatitis and other autoimmune disorders were carried out (for systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic vasculitis): anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), anti-liver-kidney microsome 1 (anti-LKM1), Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA), Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA). No antibodies were found. Moreover, the patient suffered from recurrent episodes of impaired consciousness during hospitalization. A computer tomography of the head visualized a fresh cerebral ischemia in the right cerebral hemisphere, Figure 3. Furthermore, despite blood transfusions anemia and thrombocytopenia intensified. The presence of schistocytes in the blood smear (6% to 8%), an increased level of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and reticulocyte count and an almost undetectable level of heptoglobin suggested hemolytic microangiopathic anaemia. Considering the entire clinical picture, a diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura TTP of unknown origin was considered. Blood serum was collected and showed a decreased complement component 3 (CC3) activity 80 mg/dl (90 to 180); and normal ADAMTS13 activity – 93% (N 40% to 130%). Shiga toxin was negative. Because of the deteriorating clinical condition, therapy was started. The infusions of 500 mg methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days were followed by 40 mg of oral prednisone bringing a temporary improvement. Additionally, a total of 24 units of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) were infused. The clinical state improved, without renal replacement therapy a diuresis of over 2 liters per day was achieved with a slight deterioration of liver function.
The patient was repeatedly hospitalized for impaired consciousness accompanied by anemia and a decline of kidney and liver function manifested by hepatic encephalopathy and dehydration. The patient received repeated therapeutic plasma exchanges. Three plasmaphereses were performed, each exchanging 4 liters of plasma with FFP bringing no improvement to the clinical state. Due to the ineffectiveness of treatment (plasmapheresis, steroids, FFP transfusion), recurrent relapses of aHUS and lack of targeted therapy with eculizumab, (not available in Poland at that time), the patient was offered a participation in a phase 2 clinical trial examining the safety of the monoclonal antibody anti-MASP 2 (OMS721-TMA-001, NCT02222545). Change in levels of creatinine, haemoglobin, bilirubin
and platelets over time are shown on Figure 4. Genetic testing was performed to assess the most common mutations associated with HUS/TTP development (Table 1). Testing was performed in The Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases “Aldo e CeleDacco”, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, in Italy. No mutations were found by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of Complement Factor H (CFH), Membrane Cofactor Protein (MCP), Complement Component 3 (CC3), Complement Factor I (CFI), Complement Factor B (CFB), Thrombomodulin (THBD), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), diacylglycerol kinase ε (DGKE) genes. A heterozygous polymorphism c-332T>C in the promoter of complement factor H gene was found by Multiplex Ligation- Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). The mutation is associated with aHUS development.


Figure 1

Another alt text

Figure 1
CT scan. In both lobes of the liver visible several outbreaks diameter of about 8 mm - cystis?other? In addition, in the segment IVB vaguely demarcated, low-hyper density change focal - 9 mm. Liver slightly enlarged, with a reduced coefficient of extinction (approx. 45 J.H.).

Figure 2

Another alt text

Figure 2
X-ray image. State after fracture of the humeral head left.Implanted titanium screws.

Figure 3

Another alt text

Figure 3
CT scan. A computer tomography of the head visualized a fresh cerebral ischemia in the right cerebral hemisphere.

Figure 4

Another alt text

Figure 4
Patient's clinical course.

Discussion

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare disease with a prevalence of 2.1 cases per million [4-6]. Various complement abnormalities and excessive coagulation lead to consumptive thrombocytopenia. Hemolytic anemia is caused by damage to erythrocytes caused on their way through the narrowed vessels. The disease is associated with renal function impairment: 60% of children and 80% of adults eventually require renal replacement therapy [7]. Neurological (impaired consciousness, stroke, focal deficits and epileptic seizures) and cardiac involvement is present in 10% to 30% of cases [5,8]. The main symptom in our patient was liver malfunction, renal involvement. Hepatic manifestation of aHUS may have been a result of hemolysis in the endothelium of hepatic vessels and subsequent organ ischaemia. Only about half of the patients with typical presentation of aHUS have identifiable complement factor mutations. Our patient had no mutation of complement factor H but was heterozygous for the polymorphism c.-332C>T in the promoter of CFH gene. Such abnormality has already been identified in other patients with aHUS [9]. Patient was a carrier of the mutated gene, and this could be a reason for a milder and more chronic course of disease and subsequent difficulty in establishing diagnosis of aHUS. In order for the syndrome to develop a combination of factors must coincide: a mutation, predisposing haplotype and a triggering factor [10]. Around 50% of aHUS cases are preceded with a gastrointestinal or upper respiratory tract infection [5,11,12,13]. Other triggering events include pregnancy, cancer and use of medications [14]. No associated trigger was found in the presented case.
Diagnosis of aHUS must be differentiated with other thrombotic microangiopathies. Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal insufficiency, fever and a possible central nervous system involvement are associated with HUS in the course of E. coli O157 infection. No gastroenteritis was present in the described case and Shiga toxin in stool was negative. Neurological involvement accompanied by fever, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and renal insufficiency is characteristic for TTP caused by low activity of ADAMTS13. In this case ADAMTS13 activity was normal. Furthermore, thrombotic microangiopathies must be differentiated with Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus (SLE), syndrome of Hemolytic Anemia, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelet Count (HELLP), Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and Thrombotic Microangiopathies (TMA) secondary to drugs like quinine, simvastatin, interferon or calcineurin inhibitors.
If plasmapheresis, is unavailable then FFP transfusion remains the first line of aHUS treatment. The treatment provides the lacking complement factors [15]. Exchange of 1-2 plasma volumes in each plasmapheresis is recommended as was the case in our patient [16]. Immunosuppressive therapy has a limited utility in the treatment of aHUS showing some effect only in cases related to the development of autoantibodies against complement factor H anti-CFH [17]. However, FFP infusions, 3 therapeutic plasma exchanges and steroids provided only a temporary improvement.
In the 2009 European Medicine Agency (EMA) approved eculizumab for aHUS therapy. It is a monoclonal antibody against C5 complement factor. Its use is highly effective with 80% of the patients achieving long term remission, as opposed to 5% of patients treated with plasmaphereses [18]. Due to lack of approval eculizumab was unavailable in Poland at that time. That was the reason the patient started experimental therapy as a part of phase 2 clinical trial.


Table 1

Another alt text

Table 1
Results of the genetic testing.

Conclusion

Liver manifestation of aHUS is rare. Final diagnosis was established after thorough, extensive diagnostics including genetic testing. Treatment was ineffective, thus other methods of treatment were sought. The main limitation of our manuscript was the inability to treat with eculizumab at that time.


Summary

The above described case presents the difficulty of diagnosing an atypical clinical course of aHUS. Treatment of aHUS presents an even greater challenge, especially if plasma exchanges are ineffective. It is advisable to search for new genes associated with aHUS/TTP. In justified cases, specific diagnosis is possible only after genetic testing, especially for a long period of illness when the symptoms are not spectacular. aHUS is rare syndrome with poor prognosis. Approximately 70% of patients die; it requires dialysis or developing chronic kidney disease within a year after diagnosis [19-20]. It is necessary to search for new therapeutic possibilities.


References

  1. Buddles MR, Donne RL, Richards A, Goodship J, Goodship Th. Complement factor H gene mutation associated with autosomal recessive atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2000;66(5):1721-2.
  2. Wong EKS, Goodship THJ, Kavanagh D. Complement therapy in atypical haemolyticuraemic syndrome (aHUS). MolImmunol. 2013;56(3):199-212.
  3. Desch K, Motto DJ. Is there a shared pathophysiology for thrombotic thrombocytopenicpurpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome?. Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(9):2457-60.
  4. Miller D, Kaye J, Shea K, Ziyadeh N, Cali C, Black C, et al. Incidence of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura/Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Epidemiology. 2004;15(2):208-15.
  5. Noris M, Caprioli J Bresin E, Mossali C, Pianetti G, Gamba S, Daina E, et al. Relative role of genetic complement abnormalities in sporadic and familial aHUS and their impact on clinical phenotype. Clin J Am SocNephrol. 2010;5(10):1844-59.
  6. Maga TK, Nishimura CJ, Weaver AE, Frees KL, Smith RJ. Mutations in alternative pathway complement proteins in American patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hum Mutat. 2010;31(6):E1445-60.
  7. Fremeaux-Bacchi V, Fakhouri F, Garnier A, Bienaimé F, Dragon-Durey MA, Ngo S, et al. Genetics and outcome of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a nationwide French series comparing children and adults. Clin J Am SocNephrol. 2013;8(4):554-62.
  8. Ažukaitis K, Loirat C, Malina M, Adomaitienė I, Jankauskienė A. Macrovascular involvement in a child with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. PediatrNephrol. 2014;29(7):1273-7.
  9. Caprioli J, Castelletti F, Bucchioni S, Bettinaglio P, Bresin E, Pianetti G, et al. Complement factor H mutations and gene polymorphisms in haemolyticuraemic syndrome: the C-257T, the A2089G and the G2881T polymorphisms are strongly associated with the disease. Hum Mol Genet. 200;12(24):3385-95.
  10. Scully M, Hunt BJ, Benjamin S, Liesner R, Rose P, Peyvandi F, etal. Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and other thrombotic microangiopathies. B J Haemotol. 2012;158(3):323-35.
  11. Sellier-Leclerc AL, Fremeaux-Bacchi V, Dragon-Durey MA, Macher MA, Niaudet P, Guest G, et al. Differential Impact of Complement Mutations on Clinical Characteristics in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. JAmSocNephrol. 2007;18:2392-400.
  12. Geerdink LM, Westra D, van Wijk JA, Dorresteijn EM, Lilien MR, Davin JC, et al. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in children: complement mutations and clinical characteristics. PediatrNephrol. 2012;27(8):1283-91.
  13. Fakhouri F, Roumenina L, Provot F, Sallée M, Caillard S, Couzi L, et al. Pregnancy-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Revisited in the Era of Complement Gene Mutations. J Am SocNephrol. 2010;21(5):859-67.
  14. Kavanagh D, Goodship T, Richards A. Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Semin Nephrol. 2013;33(6):508-30.
  15. Ariceta G, Besbas N, Johnson S, Karpman D, Landau D, Licht C, et al. Guideline for the investigation and initial therapy of diarrhea-negative hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol. 2009;24(4):687-96.
  16. Kavanagh D, Raman S, Sheerin NS. Management of hemolytic uremic syndrome. F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:119.
  17. Sinha A, Gulati A, Saini S, Blanc C, Gupta A, Gurjar BS, et al. Prompt plasma exchanges and immunosuppressive treatment improves the outcomes of anti-factor H autoantibody-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. Kidney Int. 2014;85(5):1151-60.
  18. Legendre CM, Licht C, Muus P, Greenbaum LA, Babu S, Bedrosian C, et al. Terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab in atypical hemolytic–uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(23):2169-81.
  19. Fakhouri F, Hourmant M, Campistol JM, Cataland SR, Espinosa M, Gaber AO, et al. Terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab in adult patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a single-arm, open-label trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2016;68(1):84-93.
  20. Noris M, Remuzzi G. Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(17):1676-87.
  21. Caprioli J, Noris M, Brioschi S, Pianetti G, Castelletti F, Bettinaglio P, et al. Genetics of HUS: the impact of MCP, CFH, and IF mutations on clinical presentation, response to treatment, and outcome. Blood. 2006;108(4):1267-79.