Low- versus high-concentration intravenous immunoglobulin for children with Kawasaki disease in the acute phase

Comparative effectiveness of two intravenous immunoglobulin products in children with Kawasaki disease, a nationwide cohort study

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is the most common acquired pediatric heart disease in the developed world. Rapid infusion of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin is the standard therapy. Different manufacturing processes of IVIG may influence their efficacy. This study aims to conduct a head to head comparison of two IVIGs, TBSF and Privigen, from a nationwide perspective. The main data source was the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. A total of 3368 KD cases involving children under 2 years of age were enrolled from January 2015 to November 2020. The primary endpoint was IVIG resistance, which we defined as the total amount exceeding 26 g in one admission. The secondary endpoints encompassed two distinct criteria: coronary involvement, which was defined as the prolonged use of aspirin or anti-coagulation agents between 180 and 360 days after the index date, and recurrence, which was defined as readmission for IVIG therapy occurring more than 30 days after previous KD index day and continuing until the end of the follow-up period. Privigen demonstrated a lower IVIG resistance rate at 9.4% in comparison to TBSF, which exhibited a rate of 9.7% (odds ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-0.99). Privigen had a lower odds of coronary involvement (odds ratio 0.38, 95% CI 0.18-0.82). There is no difference in recurrence rate (odds ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.22-1.68). Privigen might have a lower rate of IVIG resistance and reduced coronary artery involvement. The discrepancy may be due to the concentration, the stabilizers, or the source of plasma. Further investigation is needed to compare the effectiveness of different IVIGs in the large randomized controlled clinical trial.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Kawasaki Disease-Evolution and Pathogenic Mechanisms

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of childhood that affects the medium vessels with a special predilection to the involvement of coronary arteries. The major morbidity of this disease is due to coronary artery aneurysm, which occurs in about 25-30% of untreated cases. For decades now, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has consistently been shown to reduce the risk of CAAs to less than 5%. However, the mechanism of immunomodulation remains unclear. Several studies on the role of IVIg in the modulation of toll-like receptor pathways, autophagy, and apoptosis of the mononuclear phagocytic system, neutrophil extracellular trap, and dendritic cell modulation suggest a modulatory effect on the innate immune system. Similarly, certain studies have shown its effect on T-cell differentiation, cytokine release, and regulatory T-cell function. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory actions of IVIg in patients with Kawasaki disease. Furthermore, we provide a summary of the evidence regarding various infusion protocols and dosages utilized in the treatment of KD patients.

Impact of Kawasaki disease on juvenile idiopathic arthritis in real-world patients: A population-based cohort study

Objectives

Recent research has demonstrated the commonality of several biological markers between Kawasaki disease (KD) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), including interleukin-1β and -6. Therefore, in this cohort study, we assessed whether KD increases the risk of JIA.

Methods

This study enrolled 7009 patients with and 56 072 individuals without KD in the period 2010-2018 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. On the basis of sex, age, and comorbidities, we executed propensity score matching at the ratio 1:8. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for JIA was determined through multiple Cox regression. Stratified analysis and sensitivity tests were also employed.

Results

When adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, the JIA risk was noted to be 2.02-fold greater in children with KD than it was in those without (aHR: 2.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-3.67, p = 0.0205). The sensitivity test and subgroup analysis obtained consistent findings in the different sex and comorbidity subgroups.

Conclusion

Children's risk of JIA is higher if they have KD. Pediatricians should consider the possibility of JIA in this population. More investigations are necessary to identify the pathological mechanisms that link JIA and KD.

High-Concentration Intravenous Immunoglobulin May Influence the Course of Fever and Rate of Reported Treatment Resistance in Children With Kawasaki Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) is defined as persistent or recrudescent fever ≥36 hours after IVIG infusion. We have experienced an increase in IVIG resistance in patients with KD since the substitution of 10% IVIG for 5% IVIG. This study aimed to determine the independent association between increased IVIG resistance and 10% IVIG therapy.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric patients with KD were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between patients receiving 5% IVIG therapy and those receiving 10% IVIG therapy. Between IVIG-responsive and IVIG-resistant patients, a multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent factors for IVIG resistance.

RESULTS

A total of 119 patients were included in this study: 81 (68.1%) and 38 (31.9%) patients received 5% and 10% IVIG therapy, respectively. IVIG resistance was identified in 34 (28.6%) patients: 44.7% of patients receiving 10% IVIG therapy and 21.0% of patients receiving 5% IVIG therapy (p = 0.008). The clinical manifestations and outcomes were comparable between patients who received 5% IVIG therapy and those who received 10% IVIG therapy. IVIG resistance was significantly associated with fewer fever days at IVIG administration (p = 0.032), a higher percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.013), and 10% IVIG treatment (p = 0.004) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

10% IVIG therapy was significantly associated with increased reporting of IVIG resistance. However, the increase in patients with fever patterns consistent with IVIG resistance seemed to represent adverse febrile reactions resulting from using high-concentration IVIG rather than increased severity of KD.