Clinical Pediatrics
1–3
© The Author(s) 2015
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DOI: 10.1177/0009922815580406
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Brief Report
Introduction
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp)–associated hemolytic
and uremic syndrome (HUS) accounts for 5% to 15% of
all HUS with an incidence of 0.4% to 0.6%
1
following Sp
infections. Epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal dis-
ease changed since the introduction of antipneumococcal
conjugated vaccine and SpHUS appeared to follow the
serotype shift.
2
Presently, SpHUS seems to be mostly due
to the serotype 3, 6B, 7, 8, 9V, 14, 19, and 23F.
2,3
Renal
complication of SpHUS is well known, and 10% to 16%
of cases will develop an end-stage renal failure (ESRF).
1
However, hepatic complications are rare and uncommon.
Here, we describe a child with SpHUS associated with
severe cholestatic jaundice secondary to acute liver injury.
Case Report
A 2½-year-old female child with fever and cough was
admitted to our institution for bilateral pneumonia. Her
medical history revealed 2 pyelonephritis (at 10 and 15
months) and correct vaccination, including complete anti-
pneumococcal vaccination with Prevenar 13 (3 doses). At
admission, blood tests revealed anemia (6.9 g/dL) with
schistocytes (25‰), thrombocytopenia (68 g/L), renal
insufficiency (serum creatinine [SCreat] 2.9 mg/dL),
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 23.5 mmol/L), indicating
HUS. A day later, she developed jaundice and anuria and
blood tests revealed the presence of elevated liver enzymes
(alanine transaminase [ALT] 128 U/L, aspartate transami-
nase [AST] 292 U/L) associated with conjugated hyper-
bilirubinemia (21.4 mg/dL, normal value 0-0.6 mg/dL).
There was no neurological involvement (Glasgow Coma
Scale 15/15). Intravenous antibiotic (cephalosporin third
generation) and peritoneal dialysis was initiated and the
child was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for
mechanical ventilation. Thoracic and abdominal com-
puted tomography showed bilateral pneumonia, normal
liver appearance except for some periportal edema and
stoneless gallbladder. Blood cultures were positive for
serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae and T-Ag activation
was positive in the urine. In the pediatric intensive care
unit, SCreat peaked at 3 mg/dL together with an important
hemolysis (Hb 5.9 g/dL, schistocytes 30 ‰, direct
Coomb’s test was negative, haptoglobin less than 10 mg/L
and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased to 2537 U/L.
The child showed a favorable evolution recovering
progressively her diuresis after 2 days, and peritoneal
catheter was removed after 6 days. After a peak at 333
and 128 U/L of AST and ALT, respectively, values were
quickly normalized. Total serum bilirubin was maximal
at 26.3 mg/dL (normal value 0-1.2 mg/dL) and conju-
gated bilirubin was maximal at 21.5 mg/dL, which
prompted us to introduce ursodeoxycholic acid. She also
normalized her complete blood count, cholestasis, and
renal function tests within 2 weeks, and was discharged
home after 3 weeks with oral antibiotic and angiotensin-
converting enzyme inhibitor treatment for residual arte-
rial hypertension, which was stopped after 6 months.
After follow-up of 12 months, the child showed a nor-
mal physical examination without arterial hypertension,
no proteinuria, normal renal function, normal complete
blood count, and normal liver function tests.
Discussion
Hemolytic and uremic syndrome is a rare but increasing
complication of Sp infection with higher morbidity than
usual shiga-like toxin–producing Escherichia coli
(STEC)-HUS. Increased unconjugated bilirubin and
serum transaminase levels were described and attributed
580406CPJ XX X 10.1177/0009922815580406Clinical PediatricsAnastaze Stelle et al
research-article 2015
1
Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
Corresponding Author:
Hassib Chehade, Department of Pediatrics; Division of Pediatric
Nephrology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue Bugnon 46, 1011
Lausanne, Switzerland.
Email: hassib.chehade@chuv.ch
Streptococcus pneumoniae–Associated
Hemolytic and Uremic Syndrome With
Cholestasis: A Case Report and Brief
Literature Review
Karine Anastaze Stelle, MD
1
, Francois Cachat, MD
1
,
Marie-Helene Perez, MD
1
, and Hassib Chehade, MD
1
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