Common Causes Of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Complication Of Cancer Or Autoimmune Conditions

An uncommon cause of some cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome is when it is a complication of cancer or certain autoimmune conditions. The most common form of cancer known to induce hemolytic uremic syndrome is called mucin-producing adenocarcinoma. A mucin-producing adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the epithelial cells that line internal organs and the skin. This type of cancer produces heavily glycosylated proteins known to induce hemolytic uremic syndrome. The most common autoimmune conditions known to cause hemolytic uremic syndrome are collagen vascular disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Autoimmune conditions cause the production of autoantibodies that inappropriately attack certain proteins in the body encoded by complement genes. Between six and ten percent of cases of autoantibody precipitated hemolytic uremic syndrome are the result of the production of autoantibodies against Factor H. Hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by autoantibodies against other complement proteins have also been reported at a less prevalent rate.

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