The diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease

Shaanxi Provincial Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limited vascuitis that mainly occurs in children under 5 years of age. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become an effective treatment regimen, which can effectively reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications. However, there has been no consensus or clinical guidelines for the application of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease till now. This consensus is developed based on the current research progress on the application of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease in China and overseas, with reference to the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for Kawasaki disease in China and overseas, and the opinions of experts. This consensus provides recommendations on the clinical application strategy of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease and the prevention and treatment of its adverse reactions. Citation.

Kawasaki disease shock syndrome or toxic shock syndrome in children and the relationship with COVID-19

Most pediatric patients with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or show only mild symptoms. However, in the last two months, first in Europe and recently in the United States, a small number of children have developed a more severe inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19, which often leads to hospitalization and sometimes requires intensive care. A potential relationship was observed, especially between the occurrence of the Kawasaki disease and viral upper respiratory tract infections.

Platelets in Kawasaki disease: Is this only a numbers game or something beyond?

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a medium vessel vasculitis with predilection to cause coronary artery abnormalities. KD is now the most common cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. Thrombocytosis is consistently found in patients with KD, usually in 2nd to 3rd week of illness. Thrombocytopenia has occasionally been reported in the acute phase of KD. An increase or decrease in platelet number in patients with KD was initially considered to be a benign phenomenon. However, recent literature on platelet biology in KD has suggested that platelets are not only increasing but are rather activated. This phenomenon has been found to increase the risk of thrombosis in these patients. Similarly a fall in platelet counts during acute stage of KD has also been found to be associated with increased severity of disease. In this review, we update on the current best understanding about pathogenic role of platelets in patients with KD.

A novel model for predicting non-responsiveness to intravenous immunoglobulins in Kawasaki disease: The Singapore experience

AIM

We aimed to assess the utility of four published risk-scoring methods in predicting intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) non-responsiveness in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients from Singapore and develop a new predictive model.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 215 KD children. The performance of existing scoring methods in identifying non-responsive cases based on sensitivities (SN) and specificities (SP) was evaluated in 122 Singaporean Chinese. From our dataset, a model involving six predictors was built.

RESULTS

The following respective SN (%) and SP (%) were obtained: Egami: 26%, 68%; Kobayashi: 21%, 62%; Sano: 13%, 86% and Fukunishi: 46%, 71%. These results indicated that the existing scoring methods performed poorly compared to those reported in their respective original publications, which ranged between 68 and 87%. The new predictive model was derived with an improved SN (80%) and SP (80%).

CONCLUSIONS

Currently available risk-scoring methods have less applicability in the Singaporean Chinese population. The proposed new risk-scoring predictive model derived based on data from Chinese cohort demonstrated much better SN and SP.

Clinical outcome of patients with refractory Kawasaki disease based on treatment modalities

Purpose

Although a significant number of reports on new therapeutic options for refractory Kawasaki disease (KD) such as steroid, infliximab, or repeated intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are available, their effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) remains controversial. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of patients with refractory KD and to assess the effects of adjuvant therapy on patient outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 38 refractory KD patients from January 2012 to March 2015. We divided these patients into 2 groups: group 1 received more than 3 IVIG administration+ steroid therapy, (n=7, 18.4%), and group 2 patients were unresponsive to initial IVIG and required steroid therapy or second IVIG (n=31, 81.6%). We compared the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings between the groups and examined the clinical utility of additional therapies in both groups.

Results

A significant difference was found in the total duration of fever between the groups (13.0±4.04 days in group 1 vs. 8.87±2.30 days in group 2; P=0.035). At the end of the follow-up, all cases in group 1 showed suppressed CAL. In group 2, coronary artery aneurysm occurred in 2 patients (6.4 %). All the patients treated with intravenous corticosteroids without additional IVIG developed CALs including coronary artery aneurysms.

Conclusion

No statistical difference was found in the development of CAL between the groups. Prospective, randomized, clinical studies are needed to elucidate the effects of adjunctive therapy in refractory KD patients.

Epidemiologic survey of Kawasaki disease in Inner Mongolia, China, between 2001 and 2013

The epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China has not been previously determined, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiology of KD in Inner Mongolia. Clinical data from 518 patients treated for KD in Inner Mongolia between January 2001 and December 2013 were analyzed. The results indicated that the mean annual incidence rate was 3.55±2.96 per 100,000 children under the age of 5 years between 2001 and 2013. The age at diagnosis ranged between 49 days and 14 years, while the disease occurred more frequently in the spring and summer. In addition, the incidence of coronary artery lesion (CAL) was reported to be 40.2% in the present survey. KD patients in the Han Chinese ethnic group were more likely to be complicated by CAL, whereas patients with incidence of KD in July were less likely to be complicated by CAL. In conclusion, the incidence of KD was observed to be increasing in Inner Mongolia, while the ethnic group and month of onset may be associated with the incidence of CAL in KD patients.

Predictors of nonresponse to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in Kawasaki disease

Purpose

It has been reported that 10% to 20% of children with Kawasaki disease (KD) will not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify useful predictors of therapeutic failure in children with KD.

Methods

We examined 309 children diagnosed with KD at the Kyungpook National University Hospital and the Inje University Busan Paik Hospital between January 2005 and June 2011. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records and analyzed multiple parameters in responders and nonresponders to IVIG.

Results

Among the 309 children, 30 (9.7%) did not respond to IVIG. They had significantly higher proportion of neutrophils, and higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, and N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide than did responders. IVIG-nonresponders had a significantly longer duration of hospitalization, and more frequently experienced coronary artery lesion, and sterile pyuria. No differences in the duration of fever at initial treatment or, clinical features were noted.

Conclusion

Two independent predictors (ALT≥84 IU/L, total bilirubin≥0.9 mg/dL) for nonresponse were confirmed through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Thus elevated ALT and total bilirubin levels might be useful in predicting nonresponse to IVIG therapy in children with KD.

MBL Deficiency as Risk of Infection and Autoimmunity

In pathogen recognition by C-type lectins, several levels of complexity can be distinguished; these might modulate the immune response in different ways. Firstly, the pathogen-associated molecular pattern repertoire expressed at the microbial surface determines the interactions with specific receptors (Fig. 42.1). Secondly, each immune cell type possesses a specific set of pathogen-recognition receptors. Thirdly, changes in the cell-surface distribution of C-type lectins regulate carbohydrate binding by modulating receptor affinity for different ligands. Crosstalk between these receptors results in a network of multimolecular complexes, adding a further level of complexity in pathogen recognition (Cambi and Figdor 2005; Thiel et al. 2006) (see 10.1007/978-3-7091-1065-2_23). MBL deficiency is genetically determined and predisposes to recurrent infections and chronic inflammatory diseases. MBL deficiency has been implicated in susceptibility and course of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infection. More than 10% of the general population may, depending on definition, be classified as MBL deficient, underlining the redundancy of the immune system. MBL-disease association studies have been a fruitful area of research, which implicates a role for MBL in infective, inflammatory and autoimmune disease processes. MBL deficiency predisposes both to infection by extra-cellular pathogens and to autoimmune disease.

An evaluation of children with Kawasaki disease in Istanbul: a retrospective follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limiting vasculitis of unknown etiology. The incidence of KD is increasing world wide. However, the epidemiological data for KD in Turkey has not been well described.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of children with KD who were diagnosed and managed in the American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

METHOD

Patients with KD were retrospectively identified from the hospital discharge records between 2002 and 2010. Atypical cases of KD were excluded. A standardized form was used to collect demographic data, clinical information, echocardiography and laboratory results.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients with KD, with a mean age of 2.5 + 1.9 years, were identified. Eighty-five point seven per cent of patients were under 5 years of age. A seasonal pattern favouring the winter months was noticed. In addition to fever and bilateral conjunctival injection, changes in the oral cavity and lips were the most commonly detected clinical signs in our cases. Coronary artery abnormalities were detected in nine patients. The majority of our patients had started treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin in the first 10 days of the onset of fever, and only one patient required systemic steroids for intravenous immunoglobulin-resistant KD. The coronary artery abnormalities resolved in all nine patients within 8 months.

CONCLUSION

This study is the most comprehensive series of children from Turkey with KD included in Medline. As adult-onset ischemic heart disease may be due to KD in childhood, further prospective clinical investigations are needed to understand the epidemiology, management and long-term follow-up of the disease.

Acute cholestasis: atypical onset of Kawasaki disease

Atypical onset of Kawasaki disease (KD) is a frequent problem leading to diagnostic mistake. Acute cholestasis and liver involvement occur occasionally as minor manifestation of KD. We report the case of a 6-year-old boy presenting fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, and ascites who subsequently developed typical KD clinical pattern just at the same time of echocardiographic coronary arteries anomalies. Abdominal radiological evaluation was normal and seroimmunologic markers resulted negative. Shortly after intravenous immunoglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid administration the clinical features disappeared. KD should be considered in differential diagnosis in children with cholestasis, abdominal pain and fever of unknown etiology.

Cytomegalovirus infection in a patient with atypical Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, febrile, and multisystem vasculitis of early childhood with a striking predilection for the coronary arteries. The most significant complication is coronary artery abnormalities, including coronary aneurysms. The etiology of KD remains unknown. Many infectious agents including viruses have been postulated as possible causes of KD. But standard microbiologic techniques, molecular methods and serologic investigations have failed to identify an etiologic agent. We described a patient with atypical KD during cytomegalovirus infection.

Fever and rash in a child: when to worry?

The differential diagnosis of a fever and rash presenting in a pediatric patient is quite extensive. This article is not all-inclusive but is meant to aid in the diagnosis to differentiate serious, life-threatening eruptions from more benign common rashes.

Chapter 11 Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis usually occurring in children younger than five years, and rarely reported in neonates and adults. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatments of KD. The etiology still remains unknown, although epidemiological and clinical features strongly suggest an infectious cause. Immunological abnormalities in the acute phase of the disease reflect activation of immune system and marked production of cytokines by activated cells. KD has some similarities to toxin-mediated diseases, both from a clinical and an immunological point of view. The role of one or more superantigens competent of stimulating large numbers of T cells produced by certain strains of Staphylococcus or Streptococcus is discussed in the chapter, in the context of the etiology of KD. Atypical cases are those with fever, acute surgical symptoms, or neurological manifestations as presenting signs. Medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests including elevated white-blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and low hemoglobin, sodium and albumin levels may help to rule out illnesses mimicking KD. Oral or pulsed corticosteroids in children refractory to intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are an alternative and safe treatment.

Diagnostic approach to patients with suspected vasculitis

Vasculitis presents several diagnostic challenges. Firstly, patients could present with protean clinical manifestations with a wide spectrum ranging from isolated cutaneous vasculitis to multisystem involvement. Secondly, there are several medical conditions that could mimic the presentation of vasculitis. The range of differential diagnosis is therefore broad. Thirdly, vasculitis could occur as a primary disorder or be secondary to various medical conditions. It becomes important to differentiate them, as treatment of some forms of vasculitis such as those that are secondary to infection or drugs, is different from that of primary vasculitis. Fourthly, there are several different forms of vasculitis. Some are benign and self limiting, while others have the potential to threaten vital organ function and life. It follows that a rational approach is required during evaluation of patients with suspected vasculitis.

Features of Kawasaki disease at the extremes of age

AIM

The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) in those outside the typical age range (6 months-4 years) is often delayed, potentially worsening prognosis. The features of KD in children<or=6 months and >or=5 years were compared with those presenting within the more typical age distribution.

METHODS

Korean children with complete diagnostic criteria for KD were grouped according to their age at presentation: Group A (<or=6 months), Group B (7 months-4 years) and Group C (>or=5 years). The clinical features, laboratory findings and outcome in each group were compared.

RESULTS

Of 136 children presenting to a single centre between 1999 and 2003, 10 children were in Group A, 114 in Group B and 12 in Group C. The mean total fever duration was 8 days in Group C and 6.2 days in Group A (P=0.03). All children in Group C had cervical lymphadenopathy, compared with 50% of Group A and 64% of Group B (P=0.01). Coronary artery lesions were commoner in older children (Group C, 42%) compared with Group B (17%, P=0.05). All children had an equivalent leukocytosis, but Group C had significantly higher neutrophil counts (P=0.001). Group A had significantly lower mean haemoglobin (P=0.003) and total protein (P=0.002) at presentation and a more marked thrombocytosis 1 week after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The clinical and laboratory phenotype of KD varies with age. Older children may have a more marked inflammatory response and worse outcome. Younger children who are treated appropriately may not have a chance to higher risk of coronary artery lesions.

Clinical manifestations of mannan-binding lectin deficiency

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein of the innate immune system with the ability to initiate antimicrobial and inflammatory actions. MBL deficiency is common. More than 10% of the general population may, depending on definition, be classified as MBL deficient, underlining the redundancy of the immune system. Ongoing research attempt to illuminate at which conditions MBL deficiency may lead to disease. With examples, this review illustrates the diversity of results obtained so far.

Kawasaki disease: what is the epidemiology telling us about the etiology?

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an important and common inflammatory vasculitis of early childhood with a striking predilection for the coronary arteries. It is the predominant cause of paediatric acquired heart disease in developed countries. Despite 40 years of research, the aetiology of KD remains unknown and consequently there is no diagnostic test and treatment is non-specific and sub-optimal. The consensus is that KD is due to one or more widely distributed infectious agent(s), which evoke an abnormal immunological response in genetically susceptible individuals. The epidemiology of KD has been extensively investigated in many populations and provides much of the supporting evidence for the consensus regarding etiology. These epidemiological data are reviewed here, in the context of the etiopathogenesis. It is suggested that these data provide additional clues regarding the cause of KD and may account for some of the continuing controversies in the field.