The time option of IVIG treatment is associated with therapeutic responsiveness and coronary artery abnormalities but not with clinical classification in the acute episode of Kawasaki disease

A single-centre study on abnormal antinuclear antibodies in children caused by intravenous infusion of gamma globulin

Objective

To clarify the impact of intravenous infusion of gamma globulin (IVIg) on antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in children.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of children with nonspecific autoantibody-related diseases whose antinuclear antibody (ANA) and autoantibody profiles were detected in our hospital from January to March 2022. A total of 108 patients with a clear history of IVIg infusion within 28 days composed the IVIg group, and 1201 patients without a history of IVIg infusion composed the non-IVIg group.

Results

All patients in the IVIg group had either positive ANAs or positive autoantibodies. Anti-SSA, anti-Ro52 and anti-AMA Mi2 were the top three autoantibodies in the IVIg group. The proportions of patients who were positive for either of these three autoantibodies in the IVIg group were significantly greater than those in the non-IVIg group (all P<0.5). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the signal intensities of anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 were negatively correlated with the number of days of ANA detection after IVIg infusion (P<0.05). Multiple logistic analyses revealed that a greater total dosage of IVIg, greater IVIg per kilogram of body weight, and fewer ANA detection days after IVIg infusion were independent risk factors for positive anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 results.

Conclusions

It is recommended that if rheumatic diseases are suspected, ANA detection should be carried out beforeIVIg infusion. But for patients who are positive for at least one of these three autoantibodies after IVIg infusion, doctors should first consider adoptive antibodies.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Kawasaki Disease-Evolution and Pathogenic Mechanisms

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

Very early onset of coronary artery aneurysm in a 3-month infant with Kawasaki disease: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a medium vessel vasculitis, of unknown etiology, typically presenting in children younger than 5 years of age. Prolonged fever (at least five days) is a major clinical criterion of KD, while cardiac involvement may occur in up to 25% of patients, generally in the second week of the disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of KD developing in a 3-month infant, with an early occurrence of coronary artery aneurysm after only 3 days of fever, complicated by thrombosis, requiring aggressive treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Time of development of cardiac complications can be different in young infants with KD and both diagnostic criteria and treatment indications should be individualized in this class of age.

Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and related influencing factors of Kawasaki disease

To compare the clinical characteristics of complete Kawasaki disease (KD) and incomplete Kawasaki disease (IKD), and analyze the possible risk factors of coronary artery lesion (CAL) in KD. The clinical data of 139 children with KD admitted to the hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The differences of clinical characteristics between children with KD and children with IKD were compared. The risk factors of CAL were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Comparison of clinical characteristics between KD and IKD groups, the results showed there was significant difference in terms of conjunctival congestion, rash, lymph node enlargement, hand and foot redness, intravenous immune globulin non reaction and fever time (P < .05). Comparison of laboratory indicators between 2 groups, the results showed that there was significantly difference in the levels of neutrophils (P < .05). 15 cases (15.31%) in KD group were complicated with CAL, and 17 cases (41.46%) in IKD group were complicated with CAL, and the results showed there was a significant difference between the 2 groups (P < .05). Univariate analysis showed that the age and Hb of children with CAL were lower than those of children with nCAL, while C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP, NEUT, and ESR were higher than those of children with nCAL (P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that the increase of NT-proBNP and the decrease of Hb may be independent risk factors for the occurrence of CAL in children with KD. The clinical manifestation of children with IKD is not typical. Compared with KD children, the fever time is longer and the incidence of CAL is higher. Under-age, increased NT-proBNP and decreased Hb may be independent risk factors for CAL in KD children.

Shaanxi Provincial Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limited vascuitis that mainly occurs in children under 5 years of age. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become an effective treatment regimen, which can effectively reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications. However, there has been no consensus or clinical guidelines for the application of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease till now. This consensus is developed based on the current research progress on the application of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease in China and overseas, with reference to the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for Kawasaki disease in China and overseas, and the opinions of experts. This consensus provides recommendations on the clinical application strategy of IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease and the prevention and treatment of its adverse reactions. Citation.

Hepatic dysfunction secondary to Kawasaki disease: characteristics, etiology and predictive role in coronary artery abnormalities

Coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) are prominent during the acute Kawasaki disease (KD) episode and represent the major contributors to the long-term prognosis. Several meta-analysis and published scoring systems have identified hepatic dysfunction as an independent predictor of CAA risks. The medical records of 210 KD children were reviewed. Blood samples were collected from all subjects at 24 h pre-therapy and 48 h post-therapy, respectively. Liver function test (LFT) and inflammatory mediators were detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the reliable biomarkers predicting whether CAAs existed or not in KD patients. 90.95% of KD patients had at least 1 abnormal LFT. Hypoalbuminemia was the most prevalent type of hepatic dysfunction, followed by elevated aspartate aminotransferase, low TP, low A/G and hyperbilirubinemia, respectively. The elevated inflammatory mediators (procalcitonin and C-reactive protein) and moderate dose of aspirin played a synthetic role in hepatic dysfunction secondary to KD. However, LFT presented no significant differences between infectious and noninfectious conditions. By a multivariate analysis, a lower albumin/globulin ratio (A/G, OR 13.50, 95% CI 3.944-46.23) served as an independent predictor of CAAs and had a sensitivity of 56.25%, and a specificity of 61.11% at a cutoff value of < 1.48. In conclusion, hepatic dysfunction is a common complication during the acute KD episode, characterized by elevated serum liver enzymes, hypoalbuminemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Systemic inflammation and aspirin, rather than infectious agents, are both the major contributors of hepatic dysfunction secondary to KD. A lower A/G serves as an independent predictor of CAAs.

Effect of Early Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Kawasaki Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: In the latest 2017 American Heart Association guidelines for Kawasaki disease (KD), there are no recommendations regarding the early administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of early IVIG therapy on KD. Methods: We searched databases including the PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and the Clinicaltrials.gov website until July 2019. Results: Fourteen studies involving a total of 70,396 patients were included. Early treatment with IVIG can lead to an increased risk of IVIG unresponsiveness [OR 2.24; 95% CI (1.76, 2.84); P = 0.000]. In contrast to the studies performed in Japan [OR 1.27; 95% CI (0.98, 1.64); P = 0.074] that found no significant difference in coronary artery lesions (CAL) development, studies conducted in China [OR 0.73; 95% CI (0.66, 0.80); P = 0.000] and the United States [OR 0.50; 95% CI (0.38, 0.66); P = 0.000] showed a reduced risk in the occurrence of CAL with early IVIG treatment. Conclusions: At present, the evidence does not support the treatment with IVIG in the early stage of the onset of KD. But, early IVIG treatment could be a protective factor against the development of CAL, which needs to be further clarified.