Plasma exchange therapy for the treatment of Escherichia coli O-157 associated hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Plasma exchange (PE) therapy was administered to three patients with Escherichia coli O-157 associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in early phase. Following several PE treatments, all cases completely recovered without any apparent complications. The usefulness of PE therapy in removing microbial fragments and inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. The peptidoglycan (PG) level, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were higher in HUS patients starting PE therapy than in patients who had received several sessions of PE therapy. PE therapy was an effective early phase treatment for Escherichia coli O-157 associated HUS.