Genotype Phenotype Correlation in Patients with aHUS and Abnormal Genetic Studies: A Single Centre Experience
Authors: Pavenski Katerina , Teitel Jerome M. , Lim Gloria , Sholzberg Michelle , Kirschfink Michael , Licht Christoph 
Published: October 2019

Background: Atypical HUS is a rare disorder caused by uncontrolled activation of the alternative pathway of complement. It presents with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), renal insufficiency and in 20% of cases extrarenal manifestations. Most cases of aHUS result from a genetic defect.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult patients with TMA assessed by our apheresis service between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Complement genetics studies included screening CFI, CFH, CFB, MCP/CD46, CFHR5, C3 and THBD/CD141 genes and were performed at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Complement protein and function studies (CH50, AH50, C3d, sC5b-9, C3, factor H, factor I, and anti-CFH antibody) were performed at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Results: During the study period, 65 patients with TMA were assessed. On clinical and laboratory grounds, 16 patients (25%) were diagnosed with aHUS. 15 patients underwent complement genetics studies and 10/15 (73%) had no disease causing mutations identified.

Data on 5 patients with genetic abnormalities are summarized in Table 1. All patients were women, mean age 33 years. 4 patients (80%) had extra-renal manifestations. Mean PLT count nadir during acute episode was 40xE9/L. In most TMA episodes, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) resulted in a partial response (normalization/stabilization of thrombocytopenia and/or LD and/or creatinine) (Table 1). Due to limited access to eculizumab, the drug was not consistently used. 3 patients (2, 3 and 5) had low C3 and normal C4, a pattern classically described in aHUS. 4 patients underwent additional complement protein studies during acute episode (Table 2).

Abstract 4186. Table 1. Age, sex Mutation TMA episodes Renal manifestations Extrarenalmanifestations Other medical conditions Treatment of TMA episode and outcome 1 20 F polymorphism vs. disease-causing mutation in CFH gene, c.3148A>T (p.Asn1050Tyr) 1st and only episode Peak Cr 104 Retinal hemorrhages, headache, hypertensive emergency, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes Dyskeratosis congenita, alloBMT Partial response to TPEResponse to eculizumabDied of sepsis 2 43 F unknown mutation in CFHR5 gene, c.1412G>A (p.Gly471Glu) 1st episode ESRD, dialysisLiving related kidney transplant 8 yrs post 1st episode Cardiomyopathy, mitral regurgitation Crohn's disase Partial response to TPENo renal recovery 2nd episode TMA recurrence in graft, ESRD, dialysis Pulmonary hemorrhage Partial response to TPE, steroids, eculizumab (single dose)No renal recoveryMost recent follow-up: TMA free, on dialysis, awaiting 2nd transplant 3 29 F variant of unknown significance in C3 gene, c.1685C>T (p.Ser562Leu) predicted to be benign 1st and only episode Cr 650, Required hemodialysis Central retinal artery occlusion, abdominal pain, effusions, seizures, hypertensive emergency Adult Onset Still's Disease Partial response to TPEPartial response to Eculizumab (single dose) Most recent follow-up: TMA free, Cr 95 4 33 F disease-causing mutation in CFHR5 gene, c.1135G>C (p.Val379Leu) 1st episode Not available Hypertensive emergency Pulmonary embolus, cardiac arrest Blood pressure control, improved 2nd episode Peak Cr 345 Hypertensive emergency, headache, small bowel ischemia, pancreatitis, effusions Partial response to TPE Most recent follow-up: TMA free, Cr 89 5 42 F disease-causing mutation in CFI gene, c.949C>T (p.Arg317Trp) and variant of unknown significance in C3 gene (c.193A>C p.Lys65Gln) 1st episode Peak Cr 200 Hypertension Hypo-thyroidism Complete response to TPE, steroids 2nd episode Peak Cr 700, dialysis not required Complete response to TPE, steroids 3rd episode Peak Cr unknown, Dialysis required Complete response to TPE, steroids 4th episode Peak Cr 533 Partial response to TPE, steroidsHematologic response to Rituximab, splenectomyTMA free, Cr 175Started on eculizumab 1 year agoMost recent follow-up: TMA free, Cr 117

Table 2. Case Complement protein and function studies 1 No abnormalities 2 Elevated AH50, sC5b-9Low C3, fH 3 Elevated sC5b-9Low C3 4 Elevated AH50 5 Not done

Conclusions: 33% of patients diagnosed with aHUS had abnormalities detected on genetic studies. Extrarenal manifestations were common and, in most cases, TPE resulted in only a partial response. Only 3 patients had a classically described pattern of low C3 and normal C4. The utility of extensive complement protein studies requires further study.

Disclosures

Pavenski: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Licht:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.