Serum concentrations of total bile acids in patients with acute Kawasaki syndrome

The intestinal microbiota contributes to the development of immune-mediated cardiovascular inflammation and vasculitis in mice

Alterations in the intestinal microbiota contribute to the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular disorders, but how they affect the development of Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute pediatric vasculitis, remains unclear. We report that depleting the gut microbiota reduces the development of cardiovascular inflammation in a murine model mimicking KD vasculitis. The development of cardiovascular lesions was associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiota composition and, notably, a decreased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Oral supplementation with either of these live or pasteurized individual bacteria, or with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by them, attenuated cardiovascular inflammation. Treatment with Amuc_1100, the TLR-2 signaling outer membrane protein from A. muciniphila , also decreased the severity of vascular inflammation. This study reveals an underappreciated gut microbiota-cardiovascular inflammation axis in KD vasculitis pathogenesis and identifies specific intestinal commensals that regulate vasculitis in mice by producing metabolites or via extracellular proteins acting on gut barrier function.

IN BRIEF

It remains unclear whether changes in the intestinal microbiota composition are involved in the development of cardiovascular lesions associated with Kawasaki disease (KD), an immune-mediated vasculitis. Jena et al. observe alterations in the intestinal microbiota composition of mice developing vasculitis, characterized by reduced A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii . Oral supplementation with either of these bacteria, live or pasteurized, or with bacteria-produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) or Amuc_1100, the TLR-2 signaling outer membrane protein of A. muciniphila , was sufficient to alleviate the development of cardiovascular lesions in mice by promoting intestinal barrier function.

HIGHLIGHTS

Absence or depletion of the microbiota decreases the severity of vasculitis in a murine model mimicking KD vasculitis. Supplementation of B. wadsworthia and B. fragilis promotes murine KD vasculitis. Decreased abundances of F. prausnitzii and A. muciniphila are associated with the development of cardiovascular lesions in mice. Supplementation with either live or pasteurized A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii, or the TLR-2 signaling Amuc_1100, reduces the severity of vasculitis by promoting gut barrier function.

Abnormal liver panel in acute kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

abnormalities of liver panel (liver function test [LFT]) are frequently documented in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). We sought to define the spectrum of abnormalities in liver panel tests in children with KD. We studied the characteristics of KD patients who presented with an abnormal liver panel and their response to treatment.

METHODS

we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all KD patients admitted between 2004 and 2009 with one or more LFTs done at presentation and compared patients with and without at least 1 abnormal liver panel test including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin. These patients were divided into 2 groups: those with normal LFTs (normal LFT group) and those with at least one abnormal LFT at presentation (abnormal LFT group).

RESULTS

Of 259 patients, 240 (92.7%) patients with KD reviewed had one or more LFTs performed. One hundred nine (45.4%) had at least 1 abnormal liver panel test. Patients in the abnormal LFT group presented earlier (P = 0.01) and were more likely to have intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistant disease (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups in development of coronary artery abnormalities or aneurysms. Multivariate analysis identified C-reactive protein and total bilirubin at admission as significant predictors for IVIG resistant disease.

CONCLUSION

we report the largest US single center study of the spectrum of liver panel abnormalities in children with acute KD. Abnormalities of LFTs are frequently found in patients with acute KD and children with abnormal LFTs were at higher risk for IVIG resistance.