An unusual toxic cause of hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has been associated with a variety of infective as well as non-infective causes. HUS as a toxic manifestation of exposure to herbicides/pesticides has not been reported so far in literature. We report a subject who presented with clinical features of features of HUS after intentional suicidal ingestion of the herbicidal agent monochloroacetic acid (MCA). A 55-year-old farmer was admitted with a history of consumption of monochloroacetic acid with vomiting, hematochezia and oligo-anuria. Our investigations revealed severe renal failure, metabolic acidosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia with evidence of intravascular hemolysis. He was treated for HUS with plasma transfusions and haemodialysis in view of renal failure. During the course of hospital admission he developed acute antero-septal myocardial infarction and subsequently succumbed to the disease. MCA is used as an herbicidal agent and also a bleaching agent for silkworm cocoons. The toxicity of MCA has included metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis and renal failure; however HUS has not been described in the literature. Extra -renal manifestations of HUS such as cardiomyopathy have also been infrequently described. This case is presented to highlight an as yet unknown toxicity of MCA.