Argentine biotech developing first treatment of haemolytic uraemic syndrome

In Buenos Aires, a new food trend has emerged: a surge of restaurants serving various types of hamburgers, from classic options to gourmet creations. However, for parents with young children, this hamburger craze raises significant concerns. The primary worry is that minced beef, the main ingredient in hamburgers, is linked to a severe and potentially life-threatening illness known as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), particularly dangerous for children under five.

HUS is caused by a bacterium called Escherichia coli, commonly found in cattle and present in contaminated food, especially undercooked ground beef. The bacterium releases a toxin known as Shiga, which leads to symptoms such as diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, fever, and potentially irreversible kidney damage.

Argentina has the highest incidence of HUS globally, with about 300 children developing the disease each year, according to biologist Vanesa Zylberman, the research and development manager at Argentine biotechnology company Inmunova. The company is developing what may become the world's first specific treatment for HUS.

INM004, Inmunova's investigational drug, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, the final stage before seeking regulatory approval. The trial involves 220 children aged nine months to 18 years and takes place at over 40 health centers in Argentina and Europe. Zylberman explains that minced beef is problematic because bacteria on the surface of a cut of meat can become mixed throughout the meat during grinding, leading to widespread contamination.

The high incidence of HUS in Argentina is attributed to various factors, including eating habits, the country's large cattle population, bacterial strains, and environmental conditions. Argentina's love for meat and the prevalence of cattle contribute to the problem. Additionally, HUS cases tend to increase during summer when Argentines travel and eat in places with varying food-handling standards.

While roughly 300 annual cases of HUS represent only a fraction of STEC infections, the disease is the leading cause of kidney transplants in adolescents. Symptoms typically begin with severe stomach pain and intense abdominal cramps, followed by diarrhea that starts out watery but turns bloody within 24 hours. Other symptoms include frequent vomiting and nausea, along with a lack of urine, indicating that the kidneys are shutting down.

HUS primarily affects small children because their immune systems are still developing, and their kidneys have more receptors that attract the Shiga toxin, causing more severe damage. Dehydration from severe diarrhea can further compromise kidney function. HUS is considered a critical public health crisis, despite affecting a small portion of the population, with a 3% fatality rate.

Current treatment involves supportive care, with around 40% to 50% of patients requiring dialysis during the acute phase and potential long-term complications such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and neurological damage.