Hepatobiliary risk factors for clinical outcome of Kawasaki disease in children

Jaundice-predominant manifestation of Kawasaki disease in children

Background

A jaundice-predominant presentation of Kawasaki disease (KD) is atypical.

Methods

A total of 12 children with KD with a predominant manifestation of jaundice at MacKay Children's Hospital were reviewed, along with 42 cases reported in the literature since 1990.

Results

The median age of the 12 patients was 1.85 years (range: 3 months-4 years), and 66.6% were male. All of the patients had elevated liver function at presentation, 50% had hydrops of the gallbladder, and almost 60% had gastrointestinal symptoms and signs. Complete KD was evident in 11 of the 12 patients (91.7%), and two patients (16.7%) had recurrent episodes. All of the patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); however, one-third were refractory to treatment. Corticosteroids were used in five (41.7%) of the patients. Three (25%) of the patients had shock, and seven (58.3%) had coronary artery abnormalities, of whom one (8.3%) had persistent coronary artery aneurysm and the others recovered. A review of the 42 cases in the literature showed that the children with a jaundice-predominant presentation of KD had high rates of IVIG-refractory disease (25%), coronary artery abnormalities (25%), shock (13.2%), and corticosteroid treatment (24.2%).

Conclusions

Children with KD presenting with a jaundice-predominant manifestation are at a higher risk of IVIG-refractory disease, coronary artery abnormalities, and more recurrent episodes. Physicians should be aware of the risk of shock in this population.

Kawasaki Disease With Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis: A Case Report

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. AAC has been linked to various systemic illnesses including Kawasaki disease (KD). We report a case of a five-year-old male brought to the emergency department (ED) with a history of fever and vomiting for four days. He was admitted as a case of KD. Then, we discovered that he had AAC, which was well managed by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as the fever subsided, C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased, and repeated abdominal ultrasound showed a decrease in gallbladder thickness without any evidence of coronary artery aneurysms.

Viral load of Torquetenovirus correlates with Sano's score and levels of total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase in Kawasaki disease

Cause of Kawasaki disease (KD) is unknown. KD is often resistant to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Sano's score, which is derived from total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and C-reactive protein (CRP), is predictive of IVIG resistance in Japan. A recent study reported that Torquetenovirus (TTV), especially TTV7, was present at a high viral load in the patients with KD. We used PCR to quantify TTV load and amplicon next generation sequencing to detect individual TTV species. We used serum samples that were collected between 2002 and 2005 from 57 Japanese KD patients before IVIG treatment. Correlations between TTV load and Sano's score, the biomarkers that constitute this score, and IVIG resistance were examined. TTV load was positively correlated with Sano's score (P = 0.0248), TBIL (P = 0.0004), and AST (P = 0.0385), but not with CRP (P = 0.6178). TTV load was marginally correlated with IVIG resistance (P = 0.1544). Presence of TTV7 was correlated with total TTV load significantly (P = 0.0231). The correlations between biomarkers for KD and TTV load suggested that TTV may play a role in the pathophysiology of KD. We hypothesize that TTV7 may be associated with a higher total viral load in KD.

French national diagnostic and care protocol for Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis with a particular tropism for the coronary arteries. KD mainly affects male children between 6 months and 5 years of age. The diagnosis is clinical, based on the international American Heart Association criteria. It should be systematically considered in children with a fever, either of 5 days or more, or of 3 days if all other criteria are present. It is important to note that most children present with marked irritability and may have digestive signs. Although the biological inflammatory response is not specific, it is of great value for the diagnosis. Because of the difficulty of recognising incomplete or atypical forms of KD, and the need for urgent treatment, the child should be referred to a paediatric hospital as soon as the diagnosis is suspected. In the event of signs of heart failure (pallor, tachycardia, polypnea, sweating, hepatomegaly, unstable blood pressure), medical transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU) is essential. The standard treatment is an infusion of IVIG combined with aspirin (before 10 days of fever, and for a minimum of 6 weeks), which reduces the risk of coronary aneurysms. In case of coronary involvement, antiplatelet therapy can be maintained for life. In case of a giant aneurysm, anticoagulant treatment is added to the antiplatelet agent. The prognosis of KD is generally good and most children recover without sequelae. The prognosis in children with initial coronary involvement depends on the progression of the cardiac anomalies, which are monitored during careful specialised cardiological follow-up.

Clinical implications of gallbladder enlargement in Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) presents with gallbladder enlargement (GBE) or hydrops in the acute phase. Although GBE is highly specific to KD, epidemiological data on GBE have not been updated. In this study we evaluated the occurrence rate of GBE in KD and characterized the clinical features of patients who developed GBE.

METHODS

The present study was a prospective, observational study. The maximum longitudinal area of the gallbladder and the common bile duct diameter in KD patients were measured by ultrasonography at the start of initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy (day 0) and on days 7, 30, and 60 of therapy. The primary outcome was the complication rate of GBE (z- score ≥2.0) on day 0. The secondary outcome was the association of GBE with cholestasis, unresponsiveness to IVIG, and coronary artery lesions (CAL).

RESULTS

Gallbladder enlargement occurred in 35% (35/101) of patients on day 0. Cholestasis and severe patients (Kobayashi score [KS] ≥5) were more common in the GBE group (20.6% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.002, and 54.3% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). In patients with a KS of ≤4, the non-responder rate was higher in the GBE group (44% vs. 20%, p = 0.0495) but did not differ in those with a KS of ≥5 (21% vs. 20%, p = 0.95). The rate of CAL occurrence did not differ significantly between the groups (8.6% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Gallbladder enlargement occurred in 35% of KD patients and was associated with cholestasis. Gallbladder enlargement may not only be a diagnostic finding, but also a severity marker in KD patients.

Kawasaki Disease with Hepatobiliary Manifestations

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki Disease (KD) incidence has been on the rise globally throughout the years, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. KD can be diagnosed based on several clinical criteria. Due to its systemic inflammatory nature, multi-organ involvement has been observed, making the diagnosis of KD more challenging. Notably, several studies have reported KD patients presenting with hepatobiliary abnormalities. Nonetheless, comprehensive data regarding the hepatobiliary manifestations of KD are limited in Malaysia, justifying a more in-depth study of the disease in this country. Thus, in this article, we aim to discuss KD patients in Malaysia with hepatobiliary manifestations. Materials and Methods: A total of six KD patients with hepatobiliary findings who presented at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) from 2004 to 2021 were selected and included. Variables including the initial presenting signs and symptoms, clinical progress, laboratory investigations such as liver function test (LFT), and ultrasound findings of hepatobiliary system were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Out of these six KD patients, there were two patients complicated with hepatitis and one patient with gallbladder hydrops. Different clinical features including jaundice (n = 3) and hepatomegaly (n = 4) were also observed. All patients received both aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as their first-line treatment and all of them responded well to IVIG. The majority of them (n = 5) had a complete recovery and did not have any cardiovascular and hepatobiliary sequelae. Conclusions: Despite KD mostly being diagnosed with the classical clinical criteria, patients with atypical presentations should always alert physicians of KD as one of the possible differential diagnoses. This study discovered that hepatobiliary manifestations in KD patients were not uncommon. More awareness on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of KD patients with hepatobiliary manifestations are required to allow for the initiation of prompt treatment, thus preventing further complications.

Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis: Think of Hepatitis A Infection and Do Not Underestimate Pain

ABSTRACT

A 14-year-old adolescent girl presented with severe abdominal pain, tenderness, and guarding in the right upper quadrant associated with nonbilious vomiting, scleral icterus, and fever. Laboratory tests were consistent with acute hepatitis A virus-related cholestatic hepatitis. A point-of-care ultrasound showed mild gallbladder wall thickening with increased color Doppler flow and pericholecystic fluid collection, in the absence of gallstones or biliary ducts dilatation, thus suggesting acute acalculous cholecystitis. Both the clinical symptoms and the point-of-care ultrasound findings completely resolved within 1 week after admission with conservative treatment.

Coronary Artery Disease and Gallbladder Inflammatory Pseudopolyps

Axial MR image demonstrating multiple small gallbladder polypoid lesions characterized by contrast enhancement in a 78-year-old male hospitalized for acute chest pain due to coronary artery disease who showed fever and emesis during hospitalization and had signs of acute acalculous cholecystitis at computed tomography. Given the overall clinical conditions and the MR features, the inflammatory origin of the polyps was considered. The patient underwent cholecystectomy and the histological diagnosis of gallbladder inflammatory pseudopolyps was confirmed. This rare entity represents 5–10% of all gallbladder polyps, and their differentiation from benign and malignant tumors might be challenging especially in acalculous patients, thus surgery is often performed.

Atypical Kawasaki Disease in an Adolescent with Multivisceral Involvement

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a vasculitis mostly seen in children aged less than 5 years. It can involve different organs and tissues. Its diagnosis is based on the clinical criteria of the American Heart Association (AHA). We report a case of a Moroccan adolescent with an atypical presentation of KD initially treated as typhoid fever. Gastrointestinal, renal, and pulmonary signs were the main clinical findings that made the diagnosis of KD challenging and delayed. The consequence was a severe cardiac damage with myocarditis and coronary artery dilation. KD is uncommon in adolescents, and it is important to recognize the atypical forms and the different presentations of KD in order to prevent the delay of diagnosis and treatment, and hence the cardiac complications.

Atypically Protracted Course of Liver Involvement in Kawasaki Disease. Case Report and Literature Review

Hypertransaminasemia in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) is reported to be transient. Here, we describe a child with an atypically protracted course of liver tests abnormalities and review the inherent literature. The patient was hospitalized at age 7-months for isolated hypertransaminasemia detected during a classical KD diagnosed 3 months before, and persistent since then. KD clinical evolution had been favorable, with rapid response to acetylsalicylic acid and intravenous immunoglobulins. Liver enzymes however remained persistently elevated with a fluctuating pattern (ALT > AST levels; peak of AST 186 IU/L and ALT 240 IU/L). During follow-up, the main causes of liver dysfunction had to be excluded through appropriate and extensive laboratory investigations. Transaminases values become steadily normal only 7 months after the acute presentation of KD. Conclusions: Our report shows that an atypically protracted courses of KD-related hypertransaminasemia above the previously reported temporal limits should be taken into account during the stepwise diagnostic approach to the patient's liver dysfunction. Insidious acetylsalycilic acid-hepatotoxicity warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis.

Is there an association between intravenous immunoglobulin resistance and coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease?-Current evidence based on a meta-analysis

Background

Coronary artery lesion (CAL) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Initial treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can reduce the incidence of CAL. Although most of the current studies have shown a certain correlation between CAL and IVIG resistance, the conclusions are not completely consistent. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between IVIG resistance and CAL in KD.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure through April 21, 2020 were searched to detect relevant studies. Data analysis was performed with STATA 15.1.

Results

A total of 53 relevant studies were eligible to this analysis, including 30312 KD patients, of which 4750 were IVIG resistance and 25562 were responders. There was a significant difference found between IVIG resistance and IVIG response groups in the incidence of CAL (P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR), 3.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.18, 4.75)). The heterogeneity test results showed that the I² value was 74.8%. The meta-regression analysis showed that the study regions might be the sources of heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis suggested that the incidence of CAL in the IVIG resistance group was still higher than that in the IVIG response group under different regions, IVIG resistance diagnostic criteria, CAL diagnostic criteria, and study types. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis did not find any significant impact from every single study.

Conclusions

This is the first meta-analysis to reveal the incidence of CAL was associated with IVIG resistance in KD patients. Further well-designed studies with uniform criteria are needed to evaluate the incidence of CAL in IVIG resistant patients.

Age-related differences in clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease

This study aimed to examine and summarize clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) at different ages to further strengthen clinicians understanding of children with KD, improving the level of diagnosis, and reducing coronary artery complications of KD. A total of 398 patients with KD who were diagnosed between January 2016 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. These participants were allocated into three groups according to age: group A (<1 year, n=62), group B (≥1 and <5 years, n=286), and group C (≥5 years, n=50). Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared among the groups. Most (71.86%) patients with KD were aged 1-5 years. The prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy was lowest in group A. The duration of fever before admission was longest in group A. The rate of cervical lymphadenopathy and laboratory data were different among the groups. Group A had higher frequencies of gastrointestinal involvement, neurological symptoms, and redness at the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin inoculation site than the other groups. Infants aged <1 year with KD often have a longer duration of fever before admission, a lower prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy, and a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.

Kawasaki Disease Presenting as Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is a rare, potentially serious disease that has been associated with Kawasaki disease (KD) in children. Studies suggest that patients presenting with severe abdominal symptoms secondary to KD have increased resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and a higher rate of coronary artery aneurysms. We describe an eight-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with AAC and KD. He was treated with IVIG and high-dose aspirin, achieving good response with complete symptom resolution. He had no coronary artery aneurysms or further complications and was discharged after three days.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is the inflammatory disease of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. AAC is estimated to represent at least 50% to 70% of all cases of acute cholecystitis during childhood. Although this pathology was originally described in critically ill or post-surgical patients, most pediatric cases have been observed during several infectious diseases. In addition to cases caused by bacterial and parasitic infections, most pediatric reports after 2000 described children developing AAC during viral illnesses (such as Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis A virus infections). Moreover, some pediatric cases have been associated with several underlying chronic diseases and, in particular, with immune-mediated disorders. Here, we review the epidemiological aspects of pediatric AAC, and we discuss etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management, according to the cases reported in the medical literature.

Gastrointestinal presentation of Kawasaki disease: A red flag for severe disease?

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and the main cause of acquired heart disease among children in the developed world. To date, abdominal involvement at presentation is not recognized as a risk factor for a more severe form of the disease.

Objective

To evaluate whether presenting abdominal manifestations identify a group at major risk for Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistance and coronary lesions.

Methods

Retrospective study of KD patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 in 13 pediatric units in Italy. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of abdominal manifestations at onset. We compared their demographic and clinical data, IVIG-responsiveness, coronary ectasia/aneurysms, laboratory findings from the acute and subacute phases.

Results

302 patients (181 boys) were enrolled: 106 patients with, and 196 patients without presenting abdominal features. Seasonality was different between the groups (p = 0.034). Patients with abdominal manifestations were younger (p = 0.006) and more frequently underwent delayed treatment (p = 0.014). In the acute phase, patients with abdominal presentation had higher platelet counts (PLT) (p = 0.042) and lower albuminemia (p = 0.009), while, in the subacute phase, they had higher white blood cell counts (WBC) and PLT (p = 0.002 and p < 0.005, respectively) and lower red blood cell counts (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.031 and p 0.009). Moreover, the above mentioned group was more likely to be IVIG-resistant (p < 0.005) and have coronary aneurysms (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis, presenting abdominal manifestations, age younger than 6 months, IVIG- resistance, delayed treatment and albumin concentration in the acute phase were independent risk factors for coronary aneurysms (respectively p<0.005, <0.005, = 0.005 and 0.009).

Conclusions

This is the first multicenter report demonstrating that presenting gastrointestinal features in KD identify patients at higher risk for IVIG-resistance and for the development of coronary aneurysms in a predominantly Caucasian population.

Clinical trial registration

8/20014/O/OssN.

Imaging findings in systemic childhood diseases presenting with dermatologic manifestations

PURPOSE

Many childhood diseases often present with skin abnormalities with which radiologists are largely unfamiliar. Knowledge of associated dermatologic manifestations may aid the radiologist in confirming the diagnosis and recommending targeted imaging of affected organs.

METHODS

We review the imaging findings in childhood diseases associated with dermatologic manifestations.

FINDINGS

Diseases include dermatologic findings which herald underlying malignancy (Neuroblastoma, leukemia/lymphoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis),are associated with risk of malignancy (Epidermolysis Bullosa, basal cell nevus syndrome, Cowden's syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis),or indicate a systemic inflammatory/immune disorder (Kawasaki's disease, Henoch Schonlein Purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, dermatomyositis and immune thrombocytopenic purpura).

CONCLUSION

Familiarity with pertinent findings in childhood diseases presenting with dermatologic manifestations in childhood diseases aids the radiologist in confirming the diagnosis and guiding imaging workup.

Age, Predisposing Diseases, and Ultrasonographic Findings in Determining Clinical Outcome of Acute Acalculous Inflammatory Gallbladder Diseases in Children

We evaluated clinical factors such as age, gender, predisposing diseases and ultrasonographic findings that determine clinical outcome of acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder diseases in children. The patients were divided into the four age groups. From March 2004 through February 2014, clinical data from 131 children diagnosed as acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder disease by ultrasonography were retrospectively reviewed. Systemic infectious diseases were the most common etiology of acute inflammatory gallbladder disease in children and were identified in 50 patients (38.2%). Kawasaki disease was the most common predisposing disease (28 patients, 21.4%). The incidence was highest in infancy and lowest in adolescence. The age groups were associated with different predisposing diseases; noninfectious systemic disease was the most common etiology in infancy and early childhood, whereas systemic infectious disease was the most common in middle childhood and adolescence (P = 0.001). Gallbladder wall thickening was more commonly found in malignancy (100%) and systemic infection (94.0%) (P = 0.002), whereas gallbladder distension was more frequent in noninfectious systemic diseases (60%) (P = 0.000). Ascites seen on ultrasonography was associated with a worse clinical course compared with no ascites (77.9% vs. 37.7%, P = 0.030), and the duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with ascites (11.6 ± 10.7 vs. 8.0 ± 6.6 days, P = 0.020). In conclusion, consideration of age and predisposing disease in addition to ultrasonographic gallbladder findings in children suspected of acute acalculous inflammatory gallbladder disease might result in better outcomes.

Kawasaki disease and hepatobiliary involvement: report of two cases

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) without affection of the coronary artery system is rare. Optic nerve pathology together with KD has not been described earlier.

Case presentation

We present one case of KD in a 12-year-old girl predominantly with prolonged cholestasis, and a second case of multiple recurrent KD in a 9-year-old boy with hepatomegaly and ischemic optic nerve neuropathy. The coronary artery system was not involved in either case.

Conclusions

KD warrants rapid diagnosis and immediate specific treatment in order to prevent the high risk of coronary artery aneurysm and stenosis.

Liver involvement in children with collagen vascular diseases

Liver injury such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and various degrees of biochemical abnormalities are quite common in children with collagen vascular diseases. They may be primary or secondary, particularly due to drug therapy (drug toxicity, fatty infiltration), superadded infections, diabetes or overlap with autoimmune hepatitis.

Ultrasonographic Gallbladder Abnormality of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Children and Its Influence on Clinical Outcome

The incidence of pediatric acute inflammatory gallbladder (GB) disease without gallstone such as acute acalculous cholecystitis has increased with the development of improved diagnostic modalities. Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is common in general population, only few cases of GB diseases caused by EBV infection have been reported. This study analyzed ultrasonographic characteristics of primary EBV infection in children and evaluated the influence of EBV-associated GB disease on clinical course and outcome of EBV infection.Between March 2004 and January 2013, 94 of 287 pediatric patients with EBV infection underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG); clinical features, laboratory data, and USG findings were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Of 94 children, ultrasonographic thick GB wall was observed in 24 (25.3%). Platelet counts were lower in the thickened GB wall group than in the normal GB wall thickness group (P = 0.004). Direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase levels were higher in the thickened GB wall group (P = 0.000, P = 0.041, and P = 0.001, respectively). The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with thickened GB wall (P = 0.043).Radiologic findings of acute acalculous inflammatory GB disease such as thickened GB wall caused by primary EBV infection are more common than previously reported. Consideration of EBV infection in the differential diagnosis of children suspected with acute acalculous GB diseases may avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

Kawasaki disease in children: Epidemiology, clinical symptoms and diagnostics of 231 cases in 10 years

The present study was a retrospective analysis of the dynamic changes and clinical characteristics of 231 cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) in pediatric patients admitted to the People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia between January 2003 and December 2012. A total of 37.23% of the cases occurred in the first 5 years, compared with 62.77% in the latter 5 years. The age distribution ranged from 3 months to 10 years, with a peak age of <1 year. The male-to-female ratio was 2.12:1, and the reoccurrence rate was 1.3%. Among the patient cohort, 7.8% were Mongolian children. The most common clinical symptom was fever (87.6%), while perianal skin peeling was the most rare (14.1%). With regard to the analyzed biomarkers, 90.4% of patients had abnormal platelet (PLT) counts; the next highest abnormality rates were associated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (74.46%) and white blood cell (WBC) counts (59.74%), followed by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (57.58%), creatinine kinase-MB (40.26%) and hemoglobin (Hb) (38.53%). In conclusion, the present study has found that approximately two-thirds of cases of KD over a 10-year period occurred in the latter 5 years. Changes in a number of experimental indicators, including PLT, ESR and WBC, could be used in the diagnosis of the condition and to reflect the success of the clinical treatment.

Intravenous immunoglobulin, pharmacogenomics, and Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and it is therefore worth examining the multifactorial interaction of genes and environmental factors. Targeted genetic association and genome-wide association studies have helped to provide a better understanding of KD from infection to the immune-related response. Findings in the past decade have contributed to a major breakthrough in the genetics of KD, with the identification of several genomic regions linked to the pathogenesis of KD, including ITPKC, CD40, BLK, and FCGR2A. This review focuses on the factors associated with the genetic polymorphisms of KD and the pharmacogenomics of the response to treatment in patients with intravenous immunoglobulin resistance.