Kawasaki Disease

CD40 gene polymorphism and its expression in children with Kawasaki disease from North India: a preliminary case-control study and meta-analysis

Introduction

CD40 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with susceptibility and development of coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) in Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese populations. However, data on SNPs of the CD40 gene in patients with KD from the Indian subcontinent are not available. We studied the CD40 gene polymorphisms and its expression in children with KD from North India.

Methods

SNPs of the CD40 gene (rs4810485, rs1535045) were studied using Sanger sequencing. CD40 expression was studied by flow cytometry. Meta-analysis was carried out to assess the role of both SNPs of the CD40 gene in KD. GRADEpro GDT software (v.3.2) was used to assess the "certainty of evidence."

Results

Forty-one patients with KD and 41 age-, sex-matched febrile controls were enrolled. However, none of the alleles and genotypes of the CD40 gene were found to be associated with KD. CD40 expression was higher in KD and in KD with CAAs compared to controls, but it failed to reach statistical significance. In a meta-analysis, the T allele of rs153045 was found to be significantly associated with KD (OR = 1.28; 95% confidence interval (: 1.09-1.50; p = 0.002). The GRADE of evidence for this outcome, however, is of " very low certainty."

Conclusion

The present study found no association between SNPs (rs4810485 and rs153045) and susceptibility to KD. This could be a reflection of a modest sample size. CD40 expression was higher in KD and in KD with CAAs. In the meta-analysis, the T allele of rs153045 was significantly associated with KD. Our study confirms a significant genetic heterogeneity in KD among different ethnicities.

Cytokine Cascade in Kawasaki Disease Versus Kawasaki-Like Syndrome

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a medium vessel systemic vasculitis that predominantly occurs in children below five years of age. It is an acute febrile condition in which coronary artery aneurysms and myocarditis are the most common cardiovascular complications. It is most often characterized by hypercytoki-nemia. The etiopathogenesis of KD is not fully understood. The present review synthesizes the recent advances in the pathophysiology and treatment options of KD. According to different studies, the genetic, infections and autoimmunity factors play a major role in pathogenesis. Several susceptibility genes (e.g. caspase 3) and cytokines (e.g. IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α) have been identified in KD. Patients with high cytokine levels are predisposed to KD shock syndrome. The importance of respiratory viruses in the pathogenesis of the disease is unclear. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may induce in children and adults an abnormal systemic inflammatory response. This syndrome shares characteristics with KD. It has been called by many terms like MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children), PIMS-TS (pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2), hyperinflammatory shock syndrome, cytokine storm (cytokine release syndrome) or simply, Kawasaki-like syndrome. The cytokine’s role in the development of KD or Kawasaki-like syndrome being triggered by COVID-19 is controversial. The presences of the antiendothelial cell autoantibodies (AECAs) together with the newly developed hypothesis of immunothrombosis are considered potential pathogenic mechanisms for KD. In consequence, the diagnosis and treatment of KD and Kawasaki-like syndrome, one of the most common causes of acquired heart disease in developed countries, are challenging without a clearly defined protocol.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome with Features of Atypical Kawasaki Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

Although Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common self-limited systemic vasculitis in pediatrics, the exact etiology of the disease, its association with other diseases, and pathogens is still unknown. In order to achieve a better understanding and management of the disease, documentation and reporting of atypical cases is justified, particularly with the growing number of children with inflammatory syndrome with clinical features simulating KD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present a case of an atypical case of KD presenting as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case Presentation. The patient is a 7-year-old girl who developed fever (39°C) and erythematous multiform rash on the abdomen and along with erythema and edema on the extremities. Laboratory evaluation revealed neutrophilia and lymphopenia along with elevated C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, troponin, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and D-dimer. Although the patient did not fulfill the KD criteria, based on approved guidelines and approaches regarding atypical KD and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic, intravenous immunoglobulin along with aspirin was administered for the patients. The patient's symptoms resolved with an uneventful postdischarge course.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment of patients meeting full or partial criteria for KD are critical to preventing end-organ damage and other long-term complications, especially during times of public crisis and global health emergencies, such as the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Characteristics of Children With Kawasaki Disease-Like Signs in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Recent studies have shown that several children diagnosed with COVID-19 have developed Kawasaki Disease (KD)-like symptoms. This systematic review aims to assess the demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics of children with KD-like syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate efficacy of treatments and patients' outcome. A comprehensive search was carried out systematically through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS), medRxiv, and bioRxiv by two reviewers independently for all studies or preprints data on the demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics of children with K.D-like signs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Overall, 378 studies were identified by the systematic search, of which 25 studies were included in the study. The included studies involved 599 patients in total. Thirteen studies (52%) were case reports or case series, and the rest (48%) were cohort studies. In 19 studies, patients were diagnosed with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). In 16 studies COVID-19 was diagnosed in all patients based on their polymerase chain reaction result, serological findings, and computed tomography results. Higher C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate level were the most prevalent laboratory findings. In most studies, patients had leucopenia with marked lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and increased ferritin, as well as hyponatremia. Abnormal echocardiography and respiratory outcomes were the most common clinical outcomes. In 11 studies, all patients required intensive care unit admission. Findings of the present systematic review show that the incidence of KD-like syndrome in the COVID-19 pandemic increased significantly. Moreover, this study offers new insights in the KD-like syndrome pathogenesis and clinical spectrum during COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

KAWASAKI DISEASE IN KAZAKHSTAN: AN UNMET CLINICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE?

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis targeting medium-sized and small arteries. It manifests in young children. If not appropriately treated, KD leads to the development of coronary artery aneurysms inabout 20% of patients. No local evidence-based clinical and epidemiological data on KD are currently available in Kazakhstan. The awareness of KD among physicians is inadequate, resulting in underdiagnosis of the disease in the country. Given the high priority of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Central Asian countries, clinical and epidemiological studies on KD along with measures for early diagnosis and management of the patients with cardiovascular affections are warranted.

Macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile dermatomyositis: a systematic review

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of a number of rheumatological conditions, but few studies assessed it in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Indeed, MAS is not considered as a frequent complication of JDM, but its occurrence could be under-estimated. In order to address this issue, we performed a revision of the available medical literature, describing and assessing patients with both MAS and JDM. After retrieving 253 records initially, 11 papers were selected as appropriate for our research objective, which provided a total of 12 patients affected with both MAS and JDM. Our pooled case series suggested that MAS in JDM may not be very rare, even though no final conclusion about its incidence and mortality rate can be made. However, JDM-related MAS seems to be difficult to treat, since methylprednisolone pulse therapy alone was not sufficient in most cases. Moreover, MAS in JDM patients often occurred at the onset of the rheumatic disease, before the final diagnosis of JDM could be established. Finally, MAS criteria validated for systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (sJIA) resulted to be a very useful guidance to diagnose MAS in JDM patients as well, but their reliability may not be absolute. Therefore, cohort and multicenter studies are needed to assess the incidence and improve the diagnostic criteria for MAS in JDM patients.

Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute-onset systemic vasculitis of medium-sized vessels that mostly affects infants and toddlers. Globally, it is the most common form of childhood primary vasculitis. Delayed diagnosis and treatment results in coronary artery aneurysms in up to 25% of all affected individuals. Thus, KD is the most common acquired heart disease in developed countries. Here, the current understanding of clinical presentations, pathophysiological concepts, disease-associated complications, and available pharmaceutical treatment is provided and discussed in the context of available literature.

Kawasaki disease for dermatologists

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that mostly affects children below the age of 5. The vasculitis involves arteries of medium size, especially the coronaries. Various etiologies have been proposed including association with micro-organisms, bacterial superantigens, and genetic factors, however, the exact cause remains unknown. There is no specific laboratory test for KD. Diagnosis is clinical and depends upon the presence of fever for ≥5 days and 4 or more of five principal features, viz. polymorphous exanthem, extremity changes, mucosal changes involving the lips and oral cavity, bilateral bulbar conjunctival injection, and unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. The term "incomplete KD" refers to the presence of fever and less than four principal clinical features. Recognition of this group of patients is important because it is usually seen in infants and risk of coronary abnormalities is increased probably because of delays in diagnosis. However, what appears to be "incomplete" at a given point of time may not actually be so because some of the features may have already subsided and others may evolve over time. Hence, a detailed dermatological examination is warranted in all cases, especially in incomplete KD, to ensure timely diagnosis. Although KD is a self-limiting disease in most patients, coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) including coronary dilatations and aneurysms may develop in up to 25% of untreated patients. CAAs are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with KD. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and consists of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) along with aspirin. Despite treatment, some patients may still develop CAAs, and hence, long-term follow up is of utmost importance.

Breastfeeding and Risk of Kawasaki Disease: A Nationwide Longitudinal Survey in Japan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of childhood-acquired heart disease in developed countries. However, the etiology of KD is not known. Aberrant immune responses are considered to play key roles in disease initiation and breastfeeding can mature immune system in infants. We thus examined the association between breastfeeding and the development of KD.

METHODS

We used a nationwide population-based longitudinal survey ongoing since 2010 and restricted participants to a total of 37 630 children who had data on their feeding during infancy. Infant feeding practice was queried at 6 to 7 months of age, and responses to questions about hospital admission for KD during the period from 6 to 30 months of age were used as outcome. We conducted logistic regression analyses controlling for child and maternal factors with formula feeding without colostrum as our reference group.

RESULTS

A total of 232 hospital admissions were observed. Children who were breastfed exclusively or partially were less likely to be hospitalized for KD compared with those who were formula fed without colostrum; odds ratios for hospitalization were 0.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.12-0.55) for exclusive breastfeeding and 0.27 (95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.55) for partial breastfeeding. Although the risk reduction was not statistically significant, feeding colostrum only also provided a protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed protective effects of breastfeeding on the development of KD during the period from 6 to 30 months of age in a nationwide, population-based, longitudinal survey in Japan, the country in which KD is most common.