Diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of Kawasaki disease: a statement for health professionals from the Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, American Heart Association

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Related to SARS-CoV-2

Although data on the incidence and severity of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection showed more significant disease among adults and the elderly, a clinical manifestation characterized by a multisystem inflammatory syndrome was described in children (MIS-C). It was initially thought to be specific to children, but recent reports have shown that it can also occur in adults. MIS-C is characterized by a number of multisystemic manifestations resembling other known previously described illnesses, mainly Kawasaki disease, especially in cases with shock, toxic shock syndrome, and macrophage activation syndrome. Available literature shows that our knowledge of MIS-C is largely incomplete. Its development in strict relation with SARS-CoV-2 infection seems documented and, in most cases, can be considered a post-infectious manifestation secondary to an abnormal immune response for some aspects, similar to that seen in adults several days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, in a minority of cases, a clinical picture with symptoms fulfilling criteria for MIS-C diagnosis develops during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is highly likely that the criteria currently used to diagnose MIS-C are too broad, meaning that children with different diseases are included. As clarity on the pathogenesis of MIS-C is lacking, different therapeutic approaches have been used, but no specific therapy is currently available. Further studies are urgently needed to improve our definition of MIS-C, to define the real impact on child health, and to elucidate the best clinical and therapeutic approach and true prognosis.

Kawasaki Disease: Predictors of Resistance to Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Cardiac Complications

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children, in developed countries.

OBJECTIVES

To identify predictive factors for resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), calculate the effectiveness of Japanese predictive models and characterize cardiac complications.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of KD cases admitted in a Portuguese paediatric hospital between january 2006 and july 2018. ROC curves were used to determine predictive factors for resistance and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop the predictive model. A significance level of 5% was used.

RESULTS

48 patients with a median age of 36 months were included. The IVIG resistance was 21%. Echocardiographic anomalies were noted in 46%, with coronary involvement in 25% of the sample population. As predictive variable of resistance, the C-reactive protein (CRP) presented an AUC ROC = 0.789, optimal cut-off value 15.1 mg/dL, sensitivity (Sn) 77.8% and specificity (Sp) 78.9%. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) presented an AUC ROC = 0.781, optimal cut-off value 90.5 mm/h, Sn 66.7% and Sp 85.7%. The model with the two variables showed p = 0.042 and AUC ROC = 0.790. Predictive strength of Japanese models were: Kobayashi (Sn 63.6%, Sp 77.3%), Egami (Sn 66.7%, Sp 73.1%), Sano (Sn 28.6%, Sp 94.1%).

CONCLUSION

CRP and ESR are independent variables that were related to IVIG resistance, with optimal cut-off points of 15.1 mg/dL and 90.5 mm/h, respectively. About half of the patients had some form of cardiac involvement. The Japanese models appeared to be inadequate in our population. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(3):485-491).

Impact of Platelet Glycoprotein Ia/IIa C807T Gene Polymorphisms on Coronary Artery Aneurysms of KD Patients

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology in children. Coronary artery abnormalities are the most common complications of KD. Recent evidence showed that genetic polymorphisms may lead to susceptibility to KD. Genetic variants in platelet glycoprotein have been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between the role of platelet glycoprotein and coronary artery aneurysms in KD patients.

Methods

We did a case-control study that enrolled 818 KD patients and 1401 healthy children with the same age and sex from January 2013 to December 2016. Analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs1126643) of the platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa C807T was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reactions in this study.

Results

A significant difference in the genotype distribution between KD cases and controls was observed for the glycoprotein Ia/IIa C807T (rs1126643) polymorphism (p=0.026). Compared with the healthy children, the rs1126643T allele carriers had odds ratio (OR) of 0.63 for developing KD (TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.43–0.88,p=0.0078; TT vs. CT/CC: adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.44–0.889,p=0.0093). Furthermore, we also found that children less than 60 months of age and female patients with rs1126643 T allele carriers had an adjusted OR of 0.66 (95% CI = 0.46–0.95) for noncoronary artery aneurysm patients (p=0.0242). Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1126643 TT seems to represent a protective factor against KD in coronary artery aneurysm formation in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa T allele carriers may have a protective effect on the risk of coronary artery aneurysms of KD patients, especially in females and children aged less than 60 months. These results may provide evidence for platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of KD patients.

Profile of Kawasaki disease at a tertiary care center in India

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. KD is increasingly being reported from India; however, studies involving the large number of patients are few.

Methods

All children presenting to the center from January 2017 to December 2019, diagnosed to have KD, were retrospectively included in the study. Clinical and laboratory profiles, including echocardiograms, were reviewed. Factors contributing to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) refractoriness and the development of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) were assessed.

Results

A total of 39 children with KD presented to the center during the study. While 32 received initial treatment at our center, seven were referred after the initial IVIg infusion. The age range was 2 months to 11 years (mean 42.15 ± 38.51 months). More than two-thirds of the cohort was male (n = 27/39). Mucosal involvement was the commonest clinical abnormality for the group, followed by rash. Hemoglobin was significantly lower in the group with coronary artery involvement (P = 0.001). CAA (61.5%), incomplete KD, and atypical features were much more common in infants compared to the rest. Refractoriness to treatment was significantly more common in infants (P = 0.029).

Conclusions

A significant proportion of infants with KD had cardiac involvement. Infants were more likely to have IVIg-resistant disease.

Integrin α2 gene polymorphism is a risk factor of coronary artery lesions in Chinese children with Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis, and the formation of coronary artery lesions(CAL) is its most common sequela. Both genetic and environmental factors are considered to be important factors of in KD. Integrin α2 (ITGA2) is a transmembrane receptor that is associated with susceptibility to several diseases, but its relevance to KD with CAL is unclear.

METHODS

We genotyped ITGA2 rs1126643 in 785 KD patients with the CAL and no-CAL(NCAL) (300 patients with CAL, and 485 age- and sex-matched patients with NCAL). OR (95% CI) and adjusted OR (95% CI) were used to evaluate the intensity of the association.

RESULTS

We found a significantly increased risk of KD with CAL associated with ITGA2 rs1126643 genotypes (CT vs CC: adjusted OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.16-2.12, P = 0.0032; CT/TT vs CC: adjusted OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.12-2.00, P = 0.0068; T vs C: adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.16-2.51, P = 0.0165). Moreover, we found that carriers of the CT/TT genotype had a significant risk of KD with coronary artery lesion susceptibility for children ≤60 months of age, and the CT/TT genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAL formation and MCAL formation when compared with the CC genotype.

CONCLUSION

ITGA2 rs1126643 was associated with increased susceptibility and severity of CAL in KD.

Revised recommendations of the Italian Society of Pediatrics about the general management of Kawasaki disease

Aim of these revised recommendations for the general management of Kawasaki disease is to encourage its prompter recognition and warrant the most appropriate therapy, based on ascertained scientific data, raising awareness of the complications related to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. A set of 20 synthetic operative statements is herein provided, including the definition of Kawasaki disease, its protean presentations, clinical course and seminal treatment modalities of all disease phases. The application of these recommendations should improve prognosis of Kawasaki disease and prevent the progression to permanent vascular abnormalities, thereby diminishing morbidity and mortality.

Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Abnormalities in Patients with Kawasaki Disease According to Established Guidelines and Z Score Formulas

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA), including dilation and aneurysm, in patients with Kawasaki disease is paramount to treatment planning. CAA are defined using various standards, which makes diagnosis difficult. The aims of this study were to determine the variability of CAA prevalence according to existing guidelines and Z score formulas and to examine the discrepancies in widely used Z score formulas.

METHODS

Using data from a Korean national survey on Kawasaki disease, 6,889 patients were included and analyzed. The overall prevalence of CAA and the prevalence for subgroups were compared on the basis of aneurysm severity, age, and body surface area. Finally, discrepancies among five Z score formulas were evaluated by comparing two of the formulas in pairs.

RESULTS

According to the Japanese criteria, the prevalence of CAA was 18%. According to the American Heart Association criteria, the prevalence of dilation or aneurysm was about 21% to 42%, and that of aneurysm of the left anterior descending artery or right coronary artery was about 8% to 27%. The prevalence of CAA and that of left anterior descending or right coronary artery aneurysm was significantly different, with discrepancies between the Japanese and AHA Z score criteria, as well as among the five Z score formulas. Additionally, misclassification of aneurysm severity was observed for each criterion or Z score formula. There was significant variation among calculated Z scores. The more extreme the Z score values, the more discrepancy was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Different guidelines and Z score formulas yield significantly different prevalence rates and classifications of CAA. In addition, more discrepancies were observed with higher Z score values. As CAA or aneurysm severity could be changed by guidelines or Z score formulas, they should be chosen carefully, and when a particular formula is chosen, consistency is needed.

Epidemiology of Kawasaki Disease in Europe

Aim of the review: To review major epidemiological aspects of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Europe, describing demographic characteristics, revising its incidence along with time trends and geographic variations, and describing migration studies to provide clues about its etiology. Recent findings: The annual incidence of KD in Europe is about 10-15 per 100,000 children under 5 years old and seems to be relatively stable over time and space. Demographic characteristics are in line with those in other countries of the world, with a higher incidence in children from Asia and possibly North African origin. All studies performed across Europe found a coherent seasonal distribution of KD onset peaking from winter to early spring. This seasonal distribution was consistent over the years and suggests a climate-related environmental trigger. The occurrence of peaks during pandemics, microbiological findings and a possible link with southerly winds support the hypothesis of an airborne infectious agent. Neither other airborne agents such as pollutants or pollens nor urbanization and industrialization seem to have major effect on the etiology. Conclusion: Discrepancies in KD incidence rates across studies were due more to methodological differences, variation in definitions and awareness of the disease than a real increase in incidence. Genetic predisposition is undeniable in KD, but environmental factors seem to play a pivotal role. Several lines of evidence support a non-exclusive airborne infectious agent with a protective immune response by the host as a key factor in inducing the inflammatory cascade responsible for symptoms and complications.

Paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: filling the gap between myocarditis and Kawasaki?

Myocarditis and Kawasaki disease are common but usually distinct diseases in children. During the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), reports of a new form of myocarditis with clinical features of Kawasaki appeared. We investigated the place of this new disease in the spectrum encompassing Kawasaki disease and myocarditis.Thirty two consecutive children referred to our centre for a suspicion of Kawasaki or a diagnosis of myocarditis were included and eventually divided into four groups: 11 Kawasaki diseases, 6 Kawasaki syndromes (children with another diagnosis), 7 myocarditis without Kawasaki clinical feature and 7 myocarditis with incomplete Kawasaki clinical features. All were treated with immunoglobulins except those of the myocarditis group. The survival rate was 91%. The 7 children with myocarditis and clinical features of incomplete Kawasaki were all positive for SARS-CoV-2. They had a transient myocardial failure with a favourable course and none had coronary artery disease.Conclusion: Every COVID-19 child within our population had a mild to severe myocarditis and presented with fever plus two or three Kawasaki clinical features. Short-term evolution was good for these children. This new disease seems to fill the gap between isolated myocarditis and Kawasaki disease. What is Known: • A new paediatric disease close to Kawasaki disease appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic What is New: • In our population, children presented with fever, vivid Kawasaki clinical features (although the Kawasaki syndrome was always incomplete) and a myocarditis without coronary abnormalities. • The new disease fills the gap between paediatric myocarditis and Kawasaki disease but its prognosis is much better.

Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy or Additional IVIG for Patients with IVIG-Resistant Kawasaki Disease

There have been no robust data from clinical trials to guide the clinician in the choice of therapeutic agents for the child with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. The treatment regimen for IVIG-resistant patients varies between institutions, and the best option has not yet been established. Therefore, in this trial, a total of 955 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) were selected and were initially treated with IVIG (2 g/kg), of whom 80 (8.38%) assessed as IVIG resistant were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received the second IVIG treatment (n = 40), and Group B received methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPT, n = 40). The whole fever time, duration of fever after retreatment, hospital days, medical costs, readmission rate, and laboratory examination difference (△) were calculated. Coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were followed up over two years. Patients in the MPT group had shorter fever after retreatment and lower medical costs; more rapid declines in C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils (N%), and platelet (PLT) levels; and more rapid rise in sodium. However, they also probably had a higher incidence of treatment failure and CALs than the additional IVIG treatment group in the long-term follow-up. Caution is still required in the use of MPT to treat IVIG-resistant KD.

Variations in Sedated Echocardiography and Association With Repeat Echocardiography in Nonrefractory Kawasaki Disease

OBJECTIVES

Echocardiography performed under sedation allows for better coronary artery visualization in children with Kawasaki disease. We sought to describe hospital-level variability in the percentage of sedated echocardiography (SE) among children with nonrefractory Kawasaki disease (NRKD) and then test its association with repeat echocardiography, length of stay (LOS), and costs.

METHODS

We identified children in the Pediatric Health Information System <36 months of age hospitalized with NRKD from March 2010 to February 2017. Hospital-level percentage of SE was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were repeat echocardiography during the same hospitalization, LOS, and costs. We used χ² and Wilcoxon rank tests to compare differences in repeat echocardiography between SE and nonsedated echocardiography. Pearson correlation was used to test associations between SE and repeat echocardiography, LOS, and costs.

RESULTS

There were 2887 NRKD hospitalizations from 40 children's hospitals. Initial SE varied from 0.0% to 87.0% (median 5.9%; interquartile range 1.4%-21.1%). Of initial echocardiographies, 22.4% were sedated and 10.1% of all hospitalizations had a repeat echocardiography. Use of SE at the hospital level was associated with a lower likelihood for repeat echocardiography (r = -0.32; 95% confidence interval -0.58 to -0.01; P = .042). Absolute risk reduction was 3.5% and the number needed to sedate was 29. Initial SE was not associated with LOS or hospital-level costs but was associated with increased patient-level costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant variation exists in the use of SE for children <36 months of age with NRKD at children's hospitals. Our results suggest that determination of SE should not be driven by concern for repeat echocardiography or LOS considerations.

Coronary artery aneurysm and facial drooping in a infant with Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in infants and young children. Kawasaki disease that manifests as facial nerve palsy is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is challenging. We report a 4-month-old girl with Kawasaki disease who presented with fever, redness and cracking in the lips and oral cavity, and a right facial nerve palsy. The infant received intravenous immunoglobulin, acetyl salicylic acid, and warfarin. The patient's fever subsided on the following day, and the right-sided facial nerve palsy was relieved a month later.

A Neutrophil-Driven Inflammatory Signature Characterizes the Blood Transcriptome Fingerprint of Psoriasis

Transcriptome profiling approaches have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying psoriasis pathogenesis. Most researchers have measured changes in transcript abundance in skin biopsies; relatively few have examined transcriptome changes in the blood. Although less relevant to the study of psoriasis pathogenesis, blood transcriptome profiles can be readily compared across various diseases. Here, we used a pre-established set of 382 transcriptional modules as a common framework to compare changes in blood transcript abundance in two independent public psoriasis datasets. We then compared the resulting "transcriptional fingerprints" to those obtained for a reference set of 16 pathological or physiological states. The perturbations in blood transcript abundance in psoriasis were relatively subtle compared to the changes we observed in other autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases. However, we did observe a consistent pattern of changes for a set of modules associated with neutrophil activation and inflammation; interestingly, this pattern resembled that observed in patients with Kawasaki disease. This similarity between the blood-transcriptome signatures in psoriasis and Kawasaki disease suggests that the immune mechanisms driving their pathogenesis might be partially shared.

Efficacy of infliximab in the treatment of Kawasaki disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The present study aimed to review the relevant studies in order to determine the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) in the treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD). The relevant studies were retrieved using the PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases. Key sources in the literature were reviewed; all articles published by July 2019 were considered for inclusion. For each study, odds ratios, mean difference and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were assessed to evaluate study outcomes. A total of 16 studies involving 429 patients were relevant to the questions of interest of the current meta-analysis. Compared with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), IFX or IFX plus IVIG significantly reduced the incidence of adverse events, including the number of patients with fever, changes in lip and oral cavity and/or cervical lymphadenopathy. The white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also reduced in the IFX or IFX plus IVIG group compared with those in the IVIG or polyethylene glycol-treated human immunoglobulin (VGIH) groups. The platelet counts, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and Z-scores were increased in the IFX or IFX plus IVIG groups compared with those in the IVIG or VGIH groups. In the single-arm studies, the incidence of coronary artery aneurysm was 0.150 (95% CI: 0.024, 0.277), the non-response rate was 0.097 (95% CI: 0.056, 0.138), and the incidence of adverse events was 0.156 (95% CI: 0.122, 0.190). IFX not only effectively reduced the incidence of fever, conjunctival injection, changes in lip and oral cavity and cervical lymphadenopathy polymorphous exanthema, but also the WBC, neutrophil, ALT and CRP levels. The platelet levels were increased in patients after the IFX therapy compared with patients in the IVIG or VGIH groups. IFX or IFX plus IVIG exhibited improved clinical efficacy in the treatment of KD compared with that of IVIG or VGIH. However, as a limited number of studies was included in the current study, the findings should be verified further.

The performance of the alarmin HMGB1 in pediatric diseases: From lab to clinic

INTRODUCTION

The ubiquitously expressed nonhistone nuclear protein high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) has different functions related to posttranslational modifications and cellular localization. In the nucleus, HMGB1 modulates gene transcription, replication and DNA repair as well as determines chromosomal architecture. When the post-transcriptional modified HMGB1 is released into the extracellular space, it triggers several physiological and pathological responses and initiates innate immunity through interacting with its reciprocal receptors (i.e., TLR4/2 and RAGE). The effect of HMGB1-mediated inflammatory activation on different systems has received increasing attention. HMGB1 is now considered to be an alarmin and participates in multiple inflammation-related diseases. In addition, HMGB1 also affects the occurrence and progression of tumors. However, most studies involving HMGB1 have been focused on adults or mature animals. Due to differences in disease characteristics between children and adults, it is necessary to clarify the role of HMGB1 in pediatric diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Through systematic database retrieval, this review aimed to first elaborate the characteristics of HMGB1 under physiological and pathological conditions and then discuss the clinical significance of HMGB1 in the pediatric diseases according to different systems.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 plays an important role in a variety of pediatric diseases and may be used as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for new strategies for the prevention and treatment of pediatric diseases.

Epidemiology of Kawasaki Disease in South Korea: A Nationwide Survey 2015-2017

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate recent epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in South Korea.

METHODS

The ninth triennial nationwide questionnaire survey collected data on the demographic findings, symptoms and signs, treatment patterns and coronary artery complications of acute-phase KD occurred in 2015-2017 from 98 hospitals with pediatric residency programs and 108 community hospitals without residency programs.

RESULTS

We received data from 93 of the 98 hospitals (response rate: 94.9%) with residency programs and 75 of the 108 community-based children's hospitals (response rate: 69.4%) without residency programs. In the 3-year survey period, a total of 15,378 (5449 in 2015, 5171 in 2016 and 4758 in 2017) cases of KD were reported. The mean age at diagnosis was 33.0 ± 24.8 months (range: 0-205 months), and the male-to-female ratio was 1.41:1. The overall KD incidence was 196.9 (202.2 in 2015, 197.1 in 2016 and 191.0 in 2017) per 100,000 younger than 5 years population. Recurrent cases were 4.85%. KD occurred more frequently during winter (December-January) and late spring (May-June). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered to 95% of the patients; nonresponder rate for the first IVIG was 14.8%. Coronary artery aneurysms and giant coronary artery aneurysms (internal diameter >8 mm) occurred in 1.7% and 19 patients, respectively. Two patients died due to multiorgan failure and hepatic encephalopathy.

CONCLUSION

Peak incidence of KD in South Korea was 202.2 per 100,000 younger than 5 years population (2015), and the incidence of giant coronary artery aneurysm decreased to 0.09% (2017).

Gastrointestinal involvement in childhood vasculitides

AIM

The aim of this narrative review was to provide a comprehensive summary of the characteristics of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in the most common paediatric primary vasculitides.

METHODS

We used PubMed to primarily identify papers, reviews, case series and editorials published in English from 2000 until 31 January 2020. Based on this, we report the prevalence, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches and management of GI involvement in each vasculitis.

RESULTS

Vasculitides are inflammatory blood vessel diseases, and the majority can affect the GI system with vascular, GI tract or solid organ involvement. GI involvement can sometimes complicate and delay the correct diagnosis. Clinical findings are usually nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Bleeding should alert paediatricians to the possibility of severe complicated vasculitis. Diagnosis relies mostly on imaging. If it goes unrecognised, GI involvement in paediatric vasculitis is a serious cause of morbidity and even mortality, related to bowel ischaemia and perforation. Treatment of GI symptoms depends on the type of vasculitis and usually involves high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants.

CONCLUSION

GI manifestations in the most common paediatric primary vasculitides were usually nonspecific, diagnosis mostly relied on imaging, and treatment usually involved high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.

Clinical Significance of Serum Soluble TNF Receptor I/II Ratio for the Differential Diagnosis of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome From Other Autoinflammatory Diseases

Objectives: Genetic analysis of TNFRSF1A can confirm the diagnosis of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), but interpretation of the pathogenesis of variants of unknown significance is sometimes required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type I (sTNFR-I)/II ratio to differentiate TRAPS from other autoinflammatory diseases. Methods: Serum sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with TRAPS (n = 5), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) (n = 14), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) (n = 90), and Kawasaki disease (KD) (n = 37) in the active and inactive phase, along with healthy controls (HCs) (n = 18). Results: In the active phase, the serum sTNFR-I/II ratio in patients with s-JIA, KD, and FMF was significantly elevated compared with that in HCs, whereas it was not elevated in patients with TRAPS. In the inactive phase, the serum sTNFR-I/II ratio in patients with s-JIA and FMF was significantly higher compared with that in HCs, and the ratio was lower in TRAPS patients than in patients with s-JIA and FMF. Conclusions: Low serum sTNFR-I/II ratio in the active and inactive phase might be useful for the differential diagnosis of TRAPS and other autoinflammatory diseases.

American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 and Hyperinflammation in Pediatric COVID-19: Version 1

Objective

To provide guidance on the management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C), a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and multiorgan dysfunction that manifests late in the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV‐2) infection, and to provide recommendations for children with hyperinflammation during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), the acute, infectious phase of SARS–CoV‐2 infection.

Methods

A multidisciplinary task force was convened by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to provide guidance on the management of MIS‐C associated with SARS–CoV‐2 and hyperinflammation in COVID‐19. The task force was composed of 9 pediatric rheumatologists, 2 adult rheumatologists, 2 pediatric cardiologists, 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists, and 1 pediatric critical care physician. Preliminary statements addressing clinical questions related to MIS‐C and hyperinflammation in COVID‐19 were developed based on evidence reports. Consensus was built through a modified Delphi process that involved 2 rounds of anonymous voting and 2 webinars. A 9‐point scale was used to determine the appropriateness of each statement (median scores of 1–3 for inappropriate, 4–6 for uncertain, and 7–9 for appropriate), and consensus was rated as low, moderate, or high based on dispersion of the votes along the numeric scale. Approved guidance statements were those that were classified as appropriate with moderate or high levels of consensus, as prespecified prior to voting.

Results

The ACR task force approved a total of 128 guidance statements addressing the management of MIS‐C and hyperinflammation in pediatric COVID‐19. These statements were refined into 40 final clinical guidance statements, accompanied by a flow diagram depicting the diagnostic pathway for MIS‐C.

Conclusion

Our understanding of SARS–CoV‐2–related syndromes in the pediatric population continues to evolve. The guidance provided in this “living document” reflects currently available evidence, coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised as further evidence becomes available.

Evaluating the added predictive ability of MMP-9 in serum for Kawasaki disease with coronary artery lesions

To investigate the predictive ability of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery lesions (CALs). Patients with KD hospitalized in Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Northwest China, from November 2015 to January 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, and clinical trial indicators and peripheral blood specimens were collected before intravenous immunoglobulin therapy treatment. The independent risk factors were determined using multivariate regression analysis. The net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to quantitatively evaluate the ability of MMP-9 to improve the efficiency of predicting KD with CALs. The white cell, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were higher in patients with higher MMP-9, and the monocyte percentage was higher in patients with lower MMP-9. Logistic regression analysis revealed that long-term fever; elevated CRP, ESR, platelets (PLT), and MMP-9; and low albumin (ALB) levels were independent predictors of KD with CALs. A predictive model of KD with CALs using fever duration, CRP, ESR, PLT, and ALB showed significantly improved predictive ability when MMP-9 was added to the model (the area under the curve increased by 0.02; no change in sensitivity; specificity increased from 81.48% to 87.04%; NRI value: 13.46%; IDI value: 5.00%, p<0.05). Adding MMP-9 to traditional risk factors may improve prediction of CALs, the overall predictive ability of model 2 was increased by 5%.

Current pharmacological intervention and development of targeting IVIG resistance in Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is an acute childhood self-limited vasculitis, causing the swelling or inflammation of medium-sized arteries, eventually leading to cardiovascular problems such as coronary artery aneurysms. Acetylsalicylic acid combined with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD). However, a rising number of IVIG resistant cases were reported with severe disease complications such as the KD Shock Syndrome or KD-Macrophage activation syndrome. Recent reports have depicted the overlapped number of children with SARS-CoV-2 and KD, which was called multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Simultaneously, the incidence rate of KD-like diseases are increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, suggesting the virus may be associated with KD. New intervention is important to overcome the problem of IVIG treatment resistance. This review aims to introduce the current pharmacological intervention and possible resistance genes for the discovery of new drug for IVIG resistant KD.

A Case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Mimicking Acute Appendicitis in a COVID-19 Pandemic Area

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) began in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly throughout the world. As of now, there have been numerous reports demonstrating clinical, radiological and pathological findings in adults. In children, the disease has essentially been seen as mild and self-limiting. However, more recently, children have been presenting with findings reminiscent of Kawasaki's disease. And secondary to this, the benign nature of COVID-19 disease in children is beginning to be challenged. This phenomenon is now referred to as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Further understanding the clinical course in MIS-C and its temporal association with coronavirus disease 2019 will be paramount for treatment and public health decision making. This correspondence describes a case of MIS-C with gastrointestinal manifestations mimicking acute appendicitis in a child presenting from a COVID-19 endemic area.

Non-coronary cardiac events, younger age, and IVIG unresponsiveness increase the risk for coronary aneurysms in Italian children with Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most frequent cause of acquired heart disease in children in high-income countries because of coronary artery involvement. Risk factors for coronary lesions can vary in consideration of different genetic background and environmental factors.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective and prospective study including 372 consecutive children (58% boys; mean age 34.3 ± 30.3 months, Caucasian 85%) was diagnosed with KD. We divided the cohort into 2 groups according to the presence of coronary anomalies (CAA) and aneurysms. We compared the groups and studied the risk factors for CAA and for aneurysms, the most severe lesions.

RESULTS

Children with CAA were 91/372 (24.46%, aneurysms 20/372, 5.37%). Children with CAA were more likely to have a longer duration of fever (p < 0.001), later day of treatment (p < 0.001), to be IVIG non-responders and late treated (p < 0.001), while age, clinical presentation, and seasonality were not different. They also had significantly higher WBC and neutrophils, lower lymphocytes, Hb and Na during the acute stage, and slower resolution of inflammation. Age, IVIG unresponsiveness, and presence of non-coronary cardiac findings were independent risk factors for CAA and for aneurysms, while neutrophils just for CAA. Age under 6 months was a risk factor for the aneurysm. Aneurysms occurred more frequently in the first quartile of the age of KD onset (under 14 months).

CONCLUSION

Very young children with non-coronary cardiac findings are at increased risk for a more severe form of KD with aneurysms. These children could benefit from adjunctive therapy beside IVIG, especially if they have higher markers of inflammation, particularly neutrophils. Key points • Risk factors for coronary lesions can vary in consideration of different genetic background and environmental factors. • Risk factors for coronary involvement have been extensively studied in the Asian population, and others have been validated in cohorts with mixed ethnicities. • In our predominantly Caucasian population, non-coronary cardiac findings, age younger than 6 months, and IVIG unresponsiveness are independent risk factors for a more severe form of KD with aneurysms.

Kawasaki Disease: an Update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Provide the most recent updates on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment advances in Kawasaki disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treatment advances in complex, IVIG-refractory cases of Kawasaki disease. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a newly reported inflammatory condition with Kawasaki-like features and an association with the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19). Kawasaki disease (KD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease that predominately affects children less than 5 years of age. Pathogenesis of KD remains unknown; the leading theory is that an unknown stimulus triggers an immune-mediated inflammatory cascade in a genetically susceptible child. Classic KD is a clinical diagnosis based on set criteria and excluding other similar clinical entities. Patients who do not fulfill complete diagnostic criteria for KD are often referred to as atypical (or incomplete) KD. The most feared complication of KD is coronary artery abnormality development, and patients with atypical KD are also at risk. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin has greatly reduced the incidence of coronary lesions in affected children. Several other immune-modulating therapies have recently been utilized in complex or refractory cases.

Grisel's syndrome in Kawasaki disease

Background

Approximately 50–70% of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) could present with cervical lymphadenopathy associated with deep neck inflammation, which may result in Grisel’s syndrome (GS). Given the possibility of neurological impairment owing to GS, it is important to understand the disease profile in KD. Therefore, we carried out this study to investigate this possible complication of KD, with the aim of improving pediatricians’ recognition and awareness.

Methods

Patients with KD complicated by GS in our hospital were retrospectively recruited for our study. The profiles of patients with GS (n = 10) were compared to those patients without GS (n = 1254). All the available literature describing these complications of KD was reviewed.

Results

The incidence of GS in KD was 0.6% in our population. Compared to patients without GS, KD patients with GS were older, presented with a significantly lower male:female ratio, and a higher incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy, a higher level of neutrophil count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Ten articles reporting 14 KD patients with GS were reviewed. Of the total 24 patients, GS affected 7 males and 17 females, aged from 3.5 to 9 years old. Encouragingly, no delayed diagnosis and treatment of KD was found, and all patients received conservative therapy for GS, without intravenous immunoglobulin resistance, coronary artery lesions, and neurological impairment.

Conclusions

GS is a rare complication of KD with an incidence of 0.6%, predominantly affecting older, female children. The overall outcome of this disorder in KD was satisfactory with conservative therapy. Pediatricians, especially pediatric surgeons, should recognize and be aware of this possible complication of KD to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Kawasaki disease epidemic: pitfalls

Recent reports have described in the pediatric population a new type of hyperinflammatory response manifested following contact with SARS-CoV-2, with some of the clinical features attributable to Kawasaki disease (KD). The purpose of this commentary is to remark on a possible recent association between SARS-CoV-2 and KD. Although today little is known about the etiology of KD, the most accepted hypothesis is that of a probable viral etiology, therefore, even the SARS-CoV-2 virus could trigger, in genetically predisposed subjects, an exaggerated inflammatory response that is clinically evident like the one described in KD.

State-of-the-Art Pediatric Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Literature Review

Objective

To examine the results of various myocardial revascularization techniques in pediatric patients to better understand the strategies for surgical treatment of coronary artery pathologies.

Methods

We analyzed 61 publications dedicated to the indications, methods, and results of coronary bypass surgery in children. Due to the small size of this cohort, case reports are also included in our review.

Results

The main indications for coronary bypass grafting in children are Kawasaki disease, myocardial revascularization as a necessary procedure during the congenital cardiac surgery, to manage intraoperative iatrogenic damage to coronary arteries, and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The use of internal thoracic arteries as conduits for coronary bypass grafting in children with Kawasaki disease showed significantly better results in long-term functionality compared to autovenous conduits (87% and 44%, respectively, P<0.001). Acute and late coronary events after arterial switch operation for the transposition of the great arteries, anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, and left main coronary artery atresia are the main congenital heart diseases where surgical correction involves interventions on the coronary arteries.

Conclusion

The internal thoracic artery is a reliable and durable conduit that demonstrates proven growth potential in children.

Our Evolving Understanding of Kawasaki Disease Pathogenesis: Role of the Gut Microbiota

Kawasaki disease (KD) was first described by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967. The etiology of KD has been studied comprehensively but remains largely unknown. The disease seems to result from the interplay of genetic and environmental susceptibility factors with infectious triggers, followed by a subsequent abnormal immune response characterized by increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during the acute phase. Evidence has mounted to suggest that an imbalance between T helper 17 cells (Th17s) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is associated with aberrant immune responses in KD. Recent advances in culture-independent techniques for detection and identification of intestinal commensal bacteria enabled the discovery that Th17 and Treg differentiation are regulated by short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in particular butyrate, produced by the gut microbiota. This finding provided a mechanistic link between dysbiosis, defined as changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, and various inflammatory diseases. On this basis, we propose that dysbiosis, with reduced production of SCFAs leading to imbalances of Th17s/Tregs, could be involved in the etiology of KD. A pilot study supported this hypothesis, as only fecal concentrations of butyrate were significantly reduced in KD patients among SCFAs. This evolving perspective prompted us to undertake metagenomic analyses of bacterial DNA from the feces of KD patients who were antibiotic-naïve at diagnosis. Simultaneous measurements of Th17s/Tregs in peripheral blood and SCFA concentrations in feces would provide valuable information regarding the association between dysbiosis and dysregulated immune responses in KD.

Kawasaki Disease as the Immune-Mediated Echo of a Viral Infection

Although the etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) remains elusive, the available evidence indicates that the primum movens may be a dysregulated immune response to various microbial agents, leading to cytokine cascade and endothelial cell activation in patients with KD. Documented infections by different viruses in many individual cases have been largely reported and are discussed herein, but attempts to demonstrate their causative role in the distinctive KD scenario and KD epidemiological features have been disappointing. To date, no definite link has been irrefutably found between a single infection and KD.

Atypical recurrent Kawasaki disease with retropharyngeal involvement: A case study and literature review

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic inflammatory condition primarily affecting young children. We present an adolescent male with two episodes of complete KD between the age of 2 and 14 years. At age 14, he presented with findings suggestive of a retropharyngeal abscess. This was later determined to be a recurrence of KD, diagnosed after the development of coronary artery aneurysms. Our case reinforces the role of maintaining a high index of suspicion for KD, both in patients with prior KD episodes and in those with persistent fever who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for typical KD. This is particularly important for patients presenting with atypical symptoms not commonly associated with KD, such as inflammation of the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces.

Antibodies and Immunity During Kawasaki Disease

The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, is currently unknown. Epidemiology studies support that an infectious disease is involved in at least starting the inflammatory cascade set off during KD. Clues from epidemiology support that humoral immunity can have a protective effect. However, the role of the immune system, particularly of B cells and antibodies, in pathogenesis of KD is still unclear. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and other therapies targeted at modulating inflammation can prevent development of coronary aneurysms. A number of autoantibody responses have been reported in children with KD and antibodies have been generated from aneurysmal plasma cell infiltrates. Recent reports show that children with KD have similar plasmablast responses as other children with infectious diseases, further supporting an infectious starting point. As ongoing studies are attempting to identify the etiology of KD through study of antibody responses, we sought to review the role of humoral immunity in KD pathogenesis, treatment, and recovery.

Increased concentrations of growth differentiation factor-15 in children with Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

We investigated the serum concentrations of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in children with acute Kawasaki disease (KD) and evaluate its role in predicting coronary artery lesions (CALs) and no response KD.

METHODS

We obtained blood sample from 30 healthy children and 131 children with KD before intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Serum GDF-15 concentrations were measured using ELISA kits. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the potential association between GDF-15 and the occurrence of CALs and treatment responses.

RESULTS

Serum GDF-15 concentrations in KD were remarkably increased compared with healthy control. Serum GDF-15 concentrations in KD with CALs were also increased compared with no CALs, and in no response KD compared with response KD. Serum of GDF-15 concentrations was positively correlated with white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and negatively associated with albumin and pre-albumin in all patients with KD. GDF-15 was an independent predictor of CALs and no response KD. GDF-15 was superior to CRP and ESR, while it was not inferior to the combination of CRP and ESR for predicting CALs.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum of GDF-15 concentrations was significantly increased in acute KD patients, especially in KD with CALs and no response KD. GDF-15 could sever as an independent predictor for CALs and no response KD.

Clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease complicated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia: A retrospective study

This study aimed to investigate the inner linkage and mechanism of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection and Kawasaki disease (KD), as well as the risk factors of outcome in this cohort of patients.A retrospective study was performed in 210 patients diagnosed with KD complicated with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to December 2017. They were divided into two groups based on MP infection: MP infection group (n = 97) and non-MP infection group (n = 113). We compared the variables of these two groups based on medical records.The MP infection group had higher ESR than the non-MP infection group. During hospitalization, the non-MP infection group had higher levels of WBC during hospital, LDH, PCT, and lower HB when compared to the MP infection group. No differences were found in the hs-CRP level, N%, PLT, ALT, CKMB, and cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) between MP and non-MP infection group. Likewise, no difference was found in fever duration or hospital stays between them. Totally 19 patients in the infection group had CAA with a rate of 19.59%; and 27 (23.89%) patients had CAA in the non-MP infection group. Unfortunately, no difference was found in CAA rate between the two groups.MP infection may occur simultaneously in children with Kawasaki disease. KD patients with MP infection tended to occur in older population. MP infection may not increase the risk of CAA, which still needs further large-scaled studies to confirm. Clinicians should be alert to KD patients with high level of ESR. MP should be screened and early treatment with macrolides should be given timely.

Clinical observation of noncoronary cardiac abnormalities in Chinese children with Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited vasculitis. Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) serves as a major contributor to the long-term prognosis of KD. In addition, acute KD usually also leads to several kinds of noncoronary cardiac abnormalities (NCA) involving the pericardium, myocardium and endocardium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 142 Chinese children with KD were recruited from July 2015 to April 2018. Blood samples were collected at 24 hours pre-intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Several inflammatory mediators and biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction were detected. Echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) were performed.

RESULTS

Plasma white blood cell counts (WBC) were significantly increased in patients with IVIG-nonresponsive KD when compared with their IVIG-responsive counterparts. A total of 106 children (74.65%) suffered from NCA, including 8 patients (5.63%) with pericardial effusion, 23 patients (16.20%) with acute myocarditis, 101 patients (71.13%) with valvular regurgitation and 8 patients (5.63%) with abnormal ECG. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of clinical classification and the response to IVIG therapy regardless of NCA exhibited or not.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncoronary cardiac abnormalities is almost universal in acute KD and mainly manifests as valvular regurgitation. However, it has no influence on clinical classification and the response to IVIG therapy.

Identification of a novel anti‑heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein antibody in patients with Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an idiopathic form of acute systemic vasculitis, which clinically mimics febrile diseases. Although it has been hypothesized that immune system malfunction is associated with KD, its etiology remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify a KD‑associated antibody. Immunoproteomic methods were used to identify KD‑associated antigens that could be recognized in the sera of patients with KD. HeLa cells were used as an antigen source and KD sera were used as probe antibodies to determine the binding of the antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Western blotting was performed to identify KD‑associated antigens in HeLa whole cell lysates. Eight out of 12 serum samples obtained from patients with KD demonstrated immunoreactive bands at ~70 kDa, which was later determined to be heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (HSP7C) by mass spectrometry. The diagnostic value of serum anti‑HSP7C antibodies for KD was assessed using ELISA. Using a cut‑off value of 0.267, anti‑HSP7C antibodies were observed to be present in the sera of 60.00% (30/50) of patients with KD, in 21.05% (8/38) of non‑KD febrile controls, and in 5.26% (2/38) of healthy controls. High serum levels of anti‑HSP7C antibodies were detected in the peripheral circulation of patients with KD. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to observe the high expression levels of anti‑HSP7C antibodies in patients with KD. Therefore, anti‑HSP7C antibodies may be used as a diagnostic marker to detect KD.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in children for atheromatous and non-atheromatous lesions

Coronary artery involvement in children is an uncommon but well-recognized clinical entity. It is an important cause for sudden cardiac death in children. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion since it has serious consequences when missed. Presentation of coronary artery abnormality is very variable due to congenital as well as acquired aetiology. In this review, we have described the different causes that require coronary artery bypass grafting in children and their pathogenesis. The nuances of conduit selection, graft behaviour in children, patency rates and long-term outcomes in children undergoing coronary artery bypass have also been discussed.

Prospective Evaluation of Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio for Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance in a Large Cohort of Kawasaki Disease Patients

The evaluation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance prediction was prospectively performed in a large cohort of Kawasaki disease patients. It was found that the predictive values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, alone or combined, were not good enough although they were identified as independent risk factors for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance.

Association between breastfeeding and Kawasaki disease: a case-control study

The association between breastfeeding and Kawasaki disease is not fully understood. We performed a case-control study to examine the association between breastfeeding and Kawasaki disease. In this study, 389 children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and 426 gender- and age-matched controls were identified at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between November 2013 and March 2019. Demographic and clinical data were collected from a structured telephone interview and medical record database. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for risk of Kawasaki disease were estimated. Children who were breastfed exclusively had a decrease in developing Kawasaki disease (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.53 (0.38-0.74). Although the risk reduction was not statistically different, partial breastfeeding also provided a protective effect (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.70 (0.48-1.01). In the stratified analysis, we still observed that exclusive breastfeeding was inversely associated with the development of complete Kawasaki disease (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.52 (0.31-0.88) and incomplete Kawasaki disease (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.54 (0.38-0.77). However, there was no significant association between exclusive breastfeeding and the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment response (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.69 (0.27-1.69) and the risk of coronary artery lesions (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 0.79 (0.49-1.31) in Kawasaki disease.Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that exclusive breastfeeding was inversely associated with the development of Kawasaki disease and that breastfeeding might be a potential protective factor against Kawasaki diseaseWhat is known• Previous studies have demonstrated that breastfeeding has been shown to potentially confer protection against several autoimmune disorders of childhood.• The association between breastfeeding and Kawasaki disease is not fully understood.What is newThe first study to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and the development of Kawasaki disease in China with a large sample size.• Exclusive breastfeeding was inversely associated with the development of Kawasaki disease and breastfeeding might be a potential protective factor against Kawasaki disease.

The expression and significance of serum caveolin-1 in patients with Kawasaki disease

We investigated the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in Kawasaki disease (KD) and analyzed its relationship with coronary artery lesions (CALs). Cav-1 participated in the progression of CAL in KD. A total of 68 children with KD (23 with CALs), age matched with a fever control group (F, n = 28) and a normal control group (N, n = 24) were enrolled in this study. Cav-1 expression was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results are the following: (1) Compared with the F and N, Cav-1 expression was significantly increased in the children with KD (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in Cav-1 between the F and N. (2) The serum level of Cav-1 was significantly higher in children with KD and CALs during the acute phase than in children with KD without CALs (P < 0.05). (3) Serum Cav-1 may be a biomarker that reflects CALs in children with KD based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. (4) Those children with KD who were given intravenous immunoglobulin (2 g/kg, 10-12 h) during the acute phase showed decreased expression of Cav-1 compared to the N. Conclusions are as follows: (1) The serum level of Cav-1 during the acute phase of KD increased significantly, while in KD patients with CALs the increase was even greater. (2) Based on our ROC curve analysis, Cav-1 may be a predictor of CALs in children with KD.

Seasonal Variation in Epidemiology of Kawasaki Disease-Related Coronary Artery Abnormalities in Japan, 1999-2017

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies show a U-shaped tendency in Kawasaki disease (KD)-related coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) across age categories. Since studies suggest seasonal variations in KD onset, this study aimed to clarify the epidemiologic features of CAAs, considering the seasons of KD-occurrence.

METHODS

We analyzed 2,106 (males = 1,215, females = 891) consecutive KD cases from October 1999 through September 2017 using our electronic database of annual surveys, targeting all hospitals with pediatric departments across Wakayama, Japan. The primary outcome was the presence/absence of CAAs measured by echocardiography 1 month after KD onset. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of combined patient age and sex for CAAs were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for four seasons.

RESULTS

The median age was 25 (range, 1-212) months. The proportion of males decreased with increasing age. The youngest age group (<6 months) showed an inverse summer/autumn to winter/spring ratio (>1.0) in KD-occurrence. CAAs were observed in 2.8% of cases (males = 3.4%, females = 2.1%), which significantly lessened in summer than in other seasons. Moreover, 50% (n = 4/8) of cases with giant aneurysms experienced KD in autumn. Adjusted ORs for CAAs among males aged ≥60 months (3.0; 95%, CI 1.2-7.5) and females aged <6 months (3.6; 95%, CI 1.1-11.8) were significantly higher than those among males aged 12-35 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative 18-year data of consecutive KD cases from one area suggest the influence of interactions between patient age and sex on the development of KD-related CAAs. The season of KD-occurrence may reflect the diversity of agents.

Utility of color Doppler echocardiography combined with clinical markers in diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease

The utility of color Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis and follow-up of Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery lesions (CAL) was analyzed, and the clinical parameters associated with the disease were examined. The general data, the color Doppler echocardiography data and the biochemical indexes from 102 children with KD were analyzed. The patients were divided into a CAL group and a non-coronary artery lesion (NCAL) group based on the presence or absence of CAL. The risk factors for CAL in KD were screened by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 102 cases, CAL complications were identified in 47 cases (46.08%). Compared with the NCAL group, the CAL group showed significantly higher incidences of fever duration, increased levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP), intravenous immunoglobulin resistance, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelets, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and significantly lower serum albumin levels (P<0.05). According to the multivariate analysis, fever duration [odds ratio (OR)=2.014], NT-proBNP (OR=3.004), cTnI level (OR=2.638), ESR (OR=1.461) and CRP elevation (OR=1.094) were predictors of CAL in KD. During convalescence, the left and right coronary artery diameters in the CAL group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Color Doppler echocardiography can observe the condition of coronary artery disease in patients with KD in real time and predicts its outcomes, which may be helpful for early diagnosis and long-term follow-up. Fever duration, cTnI, NT-proBNP and ESR levels were correlated with coronary artery diameter, of which the comprehensive use may be more accurate in determining the occurrence of CAL in KD.

A Comprehensive Update on Kawasaki Disease Vasculitis and Myocarditis

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology that causes coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), and if left undiagnosed can result in long-term cardiovascular complications and adult cardiac disease. Up to 20% of KD children fail to respond to IVIG, the mainstay of therapy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here we review the latest findings in the field regarding specific etiology, genetic associations, and advancements in treatment strategies to prevent coronary aneurysms.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent discoveries using the Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE)-induced KD vasculitis mouse model have accelerated the study of KD pathophysiology and have advanced treatment strategies including clinical trials for IL-1R antagonist, Anakinra. KD remains an elusive pediatric vasculitis syndrome and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease among children in the USA and developed countries. Advancements in combination treatment for refractory KD with further understanding of novel genetic risk factors serve as a solid foundation for future research endeavors in the field.

Prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease according to the duration of illness prior to treatment

Risk factors predicting intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) were assessed according to the duration of illness prior to treatment. Of 555 KD patients included between 2008 and 2014, 362 were IVIG responders (65.2%) and 193 were IVIG non-responders (34.8%). The risk of IVIG resistance was inversely correlated with the duration of illness prior to treatment. Neutrophil dominance (≥  80%) was significantly higher in IVIG non-responders regardless of the duration of pre-IVIG illness. While there were no differences between IVIG responders and non-responders who were diagnosed at < 3 days, increasing platelet count and decreasing liver enzyme levels were seen over time in IVIG responders, but not in IVIG non-responders. Multivariable analysis showed that, in addition to neutrophil levels ≥  80%, risk factors for IVIG resistance were age ≤  12 months for patients who were diagnosed at ≤  3 days, and platelet count ≤  300 × 10³/μL and aspartate aminotransferase level ≥  100 IU/L for patients who were diagnosed at ≥  6 days.Conclusion: Predictors of IVIG resistance in patients with KD differ according to the duration of pre-treatment illness. Risk assessment according to the duration of illness may improve the prediction of IVIG resistance.What is Known:• Several systems have been developed to predict IVIG resistance in patients with KD but the sensitivity and specificity of these tools are insufficient and ethnic variations have been reported.What is New:• Predictors of IVIG resistance differ depending on the duration of illness prior to treatment.• Risk assessment according to the duration of pre-treatment illness may improve the ability to predict IVIG resistance.

Clinical and laboratory features, treatment, and outcomes of macrophage activation syndrome in 80 children: a multi-center study in China

BACKGROUND

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric rheumatology. We aimed to further understand the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of MAS in China.

METHODS

A multi-center cohort study was performed in seven hospitals in China from 2012 to 2018. Eighty patients with MAS were enrolled, including 53 cases with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA-MAS), 10 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD-MAS), and 17 cases of connective tissue disease (CTD-MAS). The clinical and laboratory data were collected before (pre-), at onset, and during full-blown stages of MAS. We compared the data among the SJIA-MAS, KD-MAS, and CTD-MAS subjects.

RESULTS

51.2% of patients developed MAS when the underlying disease was first diagnosed. In patients with SJIA, 22.6% (12/53) were found to have hypotension before the onset of SJIA-MAS. These patients were also found to have significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as decreased albumin (P < 0.05), but no difference in alanine aminotransferase, ferritin, and ratio of ferritin/erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at onset of MAS when compared to pre-MAS stages of the disease. In addition, ferritin and ratio of ferritin/ESR were significantly elevated in patients at full-blown stages of SJIA-MAS compared to pre-MAS stage. Significantly increased ferritin and ratio of ferritin/ESR were also observed in patients with SJIA compared to in KD and CTD. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that 12,217.5 μg/L of ferritin and 267.5 of ferritin/ESR ratio had sensitivity (80.0% and 90.5%) and specificity (88.2% and 86.7%), respectively, for predicting full-blown SJIA-MAS. The majority of the patients received corticosteroids (79/80), while biologic agents were used in 12.5% (10/80) of cases. Tocilizumab was the most commonly selected biologic agent. The overall mortality rate was 7.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

About half of MAS occurred when the underlying autoimmune diseases (SJIA, KD, and CTD) were first diagnosed. Hypotension could be an important manifestation before MAS diagnosis. Decreased albumin and increased AST, LDH, ferritin, and ratio of ferritin/ESR could predict the onset or full blown of MAS in patient with SJIA.