ADAMTS13: a type of protein that occurs naturally in the body. It helps break up a different protein that can help produce clots. An ADAMTS13 test can identify patients with TTP because they have low levels of ADAMTS13. aHUS patients have normal or only slightly reduced levels
anemia: a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells
Atypical: something that is irregular; an unusual type
atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS): a disease of the blood that causes low red blood cell and platelet counts, kidney failure, and damage to other vital organs, such as the heart and brain
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): a person’s BUN level serves as an indication of renal health. A BUN test is primarily used, along with the creatinine test, to evaluate kidney function in a wide range of circumstances
Complement system: a network of proteins and enzymes that interact with each other to protect the body against foreign substances, like bacteria and other invading organisms. aHUS is a disease in which the complement system has trouble figuring out who is “one of us” and who is “one of them”
Creatinine: a chemical excreted by the kidneys, which when measured, shows whether the kidneys are functioning properly. Along with the BUN test, Creatinine tests evaluate kidney function in a wide range of circumstances
Colon: the lower part of the large intestine
Dialysis: a treatment for kidney failure. Normally, the kidneys work to filter the blood and remove waste, excess salt, and water. Kidney failure, also called “end-stage renal disease,” occurs when the kidneys stop working completely. During hemodialysis, a machine takes over the job of the kidney by filtering the blood outside of the body and then returning the filtered blood back to the body
E Coli: bacteria that normally exist in the lower intestines of humans and other animals, which can cause illness
Edema: swelling of certain parts of the body due to the presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid
Enzyme: a protein that starts a chemical reaction within the body
Haptoglobin: a blood protein made by the liver that connects to a certain kind of hemoglobin in the blood
Hematocrit: a blood test that measures the percentage of the volume of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. A blood test can tell how much hemoglobin you have in your blood
Hemoglobin: a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
Immune system: a complex group of cells, proteins, and other molecules that work together to identify foreign organisms and substances, such as bacteria; the main role of the system is to protect the body against these foreign organisms
Infusion: a process during which fluid is introduced into the body through a vein
Kidney: the organ that serves as the body’s natural filter of the blood, removing wastes and diverting them to the bladder
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): an enzyme found in almost all body tissues, which plays an important role in cellular respiration
Microangiopathy: a disease of very small blood vessels
Monoclonal antibodies: special proteins designed to target other very specific cells or proteins in the body
Mutation: a permanent change in genetic material, usually in a single gene
Nephrologist: a physician who has been trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease
Plasma: the pale yellow liquid part of whole blood, in which the red and white blood cells and various other elements are suspended
Plasma infusion: a process wherein donated healthy plasma is transfused into another body
Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange): a process of removing, treating, and returning plasma to the body
Platelet: small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments which circulate in the blood and are responsible for helping our blood clot
Renal: pertaining to the kidneys
Schistocytes: a fragmented part of a red blood cell, typically irregularly shaped, jagged, and asymmetrical
Shiga-toxin: a poison produced by E Coli bacteria that causes severe diarrhea
Shiga-toxin–producing E Coli hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS): a syndrome triggered by Shiga-toxin–producing E Coli. The disease is characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody and followed by acute renal failure
Stroke: damage to the brain. Strokes can happen when an artery in the brain becomes clogged or starts bleeding and cuts off the blood supply to that portion of the brain
Syndrome: a set of symptoms that occur together in a pattern
Systemic: spread throughout the body
Thrombotic: producing blood clots
Thrombocytopenia: decreased numbers of platelets
Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA): clotting and inflammation that damages small blood vessels throughout the body; this is a symptom or a result of diseases such as aHUS and TTP
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): a rare condition that causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body, leading to widespread thrombotic microangiopathy
Uremia: signs and symptoms of kidney failure; signs and symptoms of uremia can include nausea, vomiting, metallic taste in the mouth, muscle pain, and swelling
Source:
Alexion. aHUS: A Patient’s Guide. Available online at: http://ahussource.com/includes/pdf/Disease_Education_Patient_Brochure.pdf Accessed on November 28, 2012.