Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome

Lead investigator

Dr Bob ADAK
Head of Gastrointestinal Infections, GEZI
Health Protection Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ

Email: Bob.Adak@hpa.org.uk

Overview

• Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) is a rare, but occasionally fatal, condition that can develop after a gastrointestinal infection by a Verocytotoxin-producing strain of Escherichia coli (VTEC). 
• The peak of incidence is in children (<5 years of age), the most susceptible age group. A previous BPSU study was conducted between 1997 and 2001 when there were 413 cases reported, 330 of which were VTEC related.
• This study aims to measure the incidence of HUS in the UK and Ireland, and describe clinical and demographic features. By comparing the results from this study to that of the previous BPSU study any changes in this epidemiology will be apparent.
• The one-year follow-up will provide useful information on the outcomes of illness. By linking cases reported through this study to the national surveillance system for VTEC, we will seek to identify factors associated with an increased risk of developing HUS, in the hope that we might, in the future, be in a position to prevent at risk children from developing HUS after a VTEC infection.

Duration: October 2011 - October 2012 (13 months). A follow-up questionnaire will be issued one year after the case is reported.

Funding: Health Protection Agency

Ethical approval: This study has been approved by London – Camberwell St Giles REC (Ref: 11/LO/1412). As of October 2010, HUS is a statutory reportable condition and this study falls under the existing Health Protection Agency permissions under the Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006.

Study Contact Details: If you would like any advice regarding the eligibility of a particular case for inclusion in the study please contact Naomi Launders (email naomi.launders@hpa.org.uk telephone 020 8327 6193).

Further Information

• Study Protocol (PDF, 166KB, 2 pages)
• Study Flyer (PDF, 22KB, 1 page)