Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infection in a healthy adult woman.

A 49-year-old healthy Japanese woman presented with hemorrhagic diarrhea because of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infection, and then hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) developed in the patient. She was successfully treated with continuous hemodiafiltration, plasma exchange, and endotoxin adsorption therapy. An analysis of previous case reports suggests that females aged between 16 and 65 years are at an increased risk of HUS resulting from hemorrhagic colitis. We propose that adult female patients with hemorrhagic colitis should be carefully monitored regardless of their medical history, physical presentation, or laboratory data.