AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO026110123
REVIEW ARTICLE

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: A case-based review

Jakub Janczura1* Kamil Jończyk1 Krzysztof Łupina1 Aleksandra Jabłońska1 Agnieszka Perkowska-Ptasińska2 Alejandro Coloma3 Paweł Wróbel1,3
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1 Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland
2 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
3 Clinical Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Provincial Integrated Hospital, Kielce, Poland
Received: 10 March 2026 | Revised: 25 April 2026 | Accepted: 28 April 2026 | Published online: 20 May 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Abstract

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an uncommon but potentially fatal form of thrombotic microangiopathy driven by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway, frequently linked to genetic alterations affecting complement-regulatory proteins. Its clinical presentation is heterogeneous and overlaps with other thrombotic microangiopathies, frequently delaying diagnosis and increasing the risk of irreversible organ damage. Advances in complement biology have substantially improved understanding of disease mechanisms and enabled the development of targeted C5 inhibitors, which have transformed patient outcomes. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, genetic landscape, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and contemporary management of aHUS, with particular emphasis on complement inhibition strategies. The discussion is contextualized by a representative clinical case illustrating real-world diagnostic complexity, systemic involvement, and therapeutic decision-making. Evidence indicates that both eculizumab and ravulizumab provide effective and sustained complement blockade, with ravulizumab offering extended dosing intervals and potential advantages in treatment burden and patient preference. Despite therapeutic progress, important challenges remain, including early recognition, interpretation of complex genetic findings, determination of optimal treatment duration, and discontinuation strategies. Continued research and improved epidemiological surveillance are essential to refine risk stratification and optimize long-term outcomes in this rare but severe complement-mediated disorder.

Keywords
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
Ravulizumab
Thrombotic microangiopathy
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing