Serum albumin level predicts initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment failure in Kawasaki disease

Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis primarily affecting children who are <5 years old. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard therapy for KD. However, many patients with KD still show poor response to initial IVIG treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for initial IVIG treatment failure in KD. Methods: Children who met KD diagnosis criteria and were admitted for IVIG treatment were retrospectively enrolled for analysis. Patients were divided into IVIG‐responsive and IVIG‐resistant groups. Initial laboratory data before IVIG treatment were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 131 patients were enrolled during the study period. At 48 h after completion of initial IVIG treatment, 20 patients (15.3%) had an elevated body temperature. Univariate analysis showed that patients who had initial findings of high neutrophil count, abnormal liver function, low serum albumin level (≤2.9 g/dL) and pericardial effusion were at risk for IVIG treatment failure. Multivariate analysis with a logistic regression procedure showed that serum albumin level was considered the independent predicting factor of IVIG resistance in patients with KD (p = 0.006, OR = 40, 95% CI: 52.8–562). There was no significant correlation between age, gender, fever duration before IVIG treatment, haemoglobin level, total leucocyte and platelet counts, C‐reactive protein level, or sterile pyuria and initial IVIG treatment failure. The specificity and sensitivity for prediction of IVIG treatment failure in this study were 96% and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: Pre‐IVIG treatment serum albumin levels are a useful predictor of IVIG resistance in patients with KD.     

Intravenous immune globulin plus corticosteroids in refractory Kawasaki disease

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of i.v. immune globulin (IVIG) therapy combined with corticosteroids for additional treatment of acute Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment. Methods: In 50 prospective KD patients, six IVIG non‐responders without clinical improvement within 24–48 h after completion of initial IVIG, received 2 g/kg IVIG concurrently with 2 mg/kg i.v. prednisolone sodium succinate (PSL) until normalization of C‐reactive protein level. Treatment was then changed to oral PSL, which was tapered over time. Clinical and coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were compared with those of 13 IVIG non‐responders who received additional heterogeneous therapies in 125 retrospective KD patients. In addition, the scoring system of Kobayashi et al. for prediction of non‐responsiveness to initial IVIG treatment was retrospectively verified in 175 KD subjects, consisting of 50 prospective and 125 retrospective patients in order to evaluate the efficacy of the re‐treatment regimen. Results: Incidence of CAL in the study patients was lower than in the control patients, although differences were not significant both in the acute stage (within 1 month: 1/6, 16.7% vs 7/13, 53.8%; P= 0.177) and in the convalescent stage (after 1 month: 0/6, 0.0% vs 4/13, 30.8%; P= 0.255). According to the non‐responder prediction system, the scores of six study and 13 control patients before initial IVIG treatment were similar (7.2 ± 1.9 vs 5.3 ± 3.1; P= 0.200). No serious adverse effects related to each treatment were noted in patients of either group. Conclusions: Additional IVIG combined with concurrent PSL appears to be safe and worth evaluation for the treatment of acute KD unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.     

Analysis of potential risk factors associated with nonresponse to initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment among Kawasaki disease patients in Japan

BACKGROUND: Some Kawasaki disease (KD) patients do not respond to initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The purpose of this study was to determine potential risk factors associated with IVIG nonresponse among KD patients in Japan. METHODS: Data were obtained from questionnaires used for the 18th nationwide KD survey of patients who visited hospitals in Japan from 2003 through 2004. Data for patients who met the case definition for KD and received 2 g/kg single infusion IVIG as the initial treatment within 10 days of illness were analyzed. IVIG nonresponders were defined as patients who needed secondary treatment after initial IVIG administration. RESULTS: Among 15,940 KD patients in Japan during 2003-2004, 6330 patients received 2 g/kg single infusion IVIG within 10 days of illness onset. IVIG nonresponders accounted for 20.3% of them (n = 1286). Male sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.37], receipt of the initial IVIG before the fifth day of illness (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.66-2.15), and having recurrent KD (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.00-1.90) were significantly associated with IVIG nonresponse. In addition, IVIG nonresponders had significantly higher risks for coronary artery aneurysms (OR: 10.38, 95% CI: 6.98-15.45) or giant coronary artery aneurysms (OR: 54.06, 95% CI: 12.84-227.65). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider potential IVIG nonresponse among recurrent KD patients or KD patients diagnosed and treated before the fifth day of illness, particularly if they are boys and have laboratory values associated with nonresponse such as low platelet count, and elevated alanine aminotransferase and C-reactive protein. Some of these patients may benefit from administration of the alternative secondary treatment early during the illness along with the initial IVIG treatment.     

The relationship of eosinophilia to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment failure in Kawasaki disease

To investigate the role of eosinophils in Kawasaki disease (KD) and the relationship to initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment failure. A retrospective analysis of all children who were admitted and met the criteria of KD between 1999 and 2005. The patients were divided into IVIG-responsive and IVIG-resistant groups. A total of 185 patients were enrolled during the study period. A series of blood eosinophils and biochemistry studies were correlated to the effectiveness of IVIG. The neutrophils percentage before IVIG treatment (pre-IVIG), leukocyte counts within 3 days after IVIG treatment (post-IVIG), liver enzyme, albumin levels, and post-IVIG eosinophils percentage were all significantly different between the two groups in univariate analysis. Under multivariate analysis with logistic regression, post-IVIG eosinophilia [peripheral blood (PB) eosinophils >or=4%] had an inverse correlation to KD patients with IVIG-resistance (p = 0.003). Also, pre-IVIG hypoalbuminemia (albumin 相似文献   

激素与静脉丙种球蛋白及其联合应用治疗静脉丙种球蛋白无反应川崎病的回顾性对照研究

目的 探讨激素对静脉丙种球蛋白（IVIG）无反应川崎病（KD）患儿的治疗价值。方法 回顾性收集重庆医科大学附属儿童医院IVIG无反应KD住院患儿,根据再治疗情况分为IVIG组、激素组和IVIG+激素组;将应用激素者根据激素应用途径分为静脉滴注序贯口服激素组和口服激素组。统计各组患儿的总热程、平均热退时间、治疗前后实验室检查结果并计算治疗前后的差值与治疗前值的比值（即差值比△）、急性期及出院后6、12、24个月冠状动脉病变和随访中的血栓形成情况。结果 IVIG无反应KD患儿143例进入本文分析。IVIG组107例,激素组12例, IVIG+激素组24例,3组性别、年龄、体重差异无统计学意义。IVIG+激素组治疗后WBC高于IVIG组,△WBC、△PLT均低于IVIG组,△CRP高于IVIG组,总热程长于IVIG组;急性期冠状动脉瘤发生率及随访至6个月时冠状动脉扩张发生率高于IVIG组,差异均有统计学意义;激素组△WBC低于IVIG组,总热程长于IVIG组,差异均有统计学意义。静脉滴注序贯口服激素组和口服激素组各18例,2组性别、年龄、体重差异无统计学意义,口服激素组再次治疗前和再次治疗后CRP均低于静脉滴注序贯口服激素组, 口服激素组△PLT高于静脉滴注序贯口服激素组,2组随访时点冠状动脉扩张和冠状动脉瘤发生率差异均无统计学意义。随访病例中,静脉滴注序贯口服激素组有2例出现血栓,经积极抗凝治疗后血栓消失。结论 IVIG无反应KD患儿再治疗时应用激素或再次IVIG无反应后应用激素,与单纯IVIG相比急性期治疗效果相近,且均不增加远期冠状动脉损伤的发生率;选择普通剂量口服或者静脉滴注序贯口服疗法临床效果相近,但静脉滴注序贯口服激素较口服激素有更高的血栓形成风险。     

N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT proBNP) as a Predictive Indicator of Initial Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Failure in Children With Kawasaki Disease: A Retrospective Study

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administered in the acute stage of Kawasaki disease (KD) is the standard therapy. Few reports describe nonresponders to initial treatment with IVIG in KD, which remains the most consistent risk factor for coronary artery lesions (CALs). This study aimed to investigate whether the serum level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can be a predictive indicator for identifying patients with KD at higher risk of IVIG treatment failure. In this study, 135 patients with a diagnosis of KD admitted for IVIG treatment were retrospectively enrolled for analysis. Of these 135 patients, 22 were nonresponders who received additional rescue therapy because they had an elevated body temperature 36 h after completion of initial IVIG treatment. The NT-proBNP concentration was significantly higher in the nonresponder group (2,465.36 ± 3,293.24 pg/mL) than in the responder group (942.38 ± 1,293.48 pg/mL) (p < 0.05). The optimal sensitivity and specificity cutoff point for predicted nonresponders was 1,093.00 pg/mL or higher. The sensitivity and specificity for prediction of IVIG response were respectively 70.0 and 76.5 %. The findings show that NT-proBNP is a helpful marker in determining patients at risk for not responding to initial IVIG treatment. The authors suggest that patients with an NT-proBNP level of 1,093.00 pg/dL or higher are likely to fail initial IVIG and may require further rescue therapy.     

A multicenter prospective randomized trial of corticosteroids in primary therapy for Kawasaki disease: clinical course and coronary artery outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of corticosteroids in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD). STUDY DESIGN: Between September 2000 and March 2005, we randomly assigned 178 KD patients from 12 hospitals to either an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) group (n = 88; 1 g/kg for 2 consecutive days) or an IVIG plus corticosteroid (IVIG+PSL) group (n = 90). The primary endpoint was coronary artery abnormality (CAA) before a 1-month echocardiographic assessment. Secondary endpoints included duration of fever, time to normalization of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and initial treatment failure requiring additional therapy. Analyses were based on intention to treat. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of groups were similar. Fewer IVIG+PSL patients than IVIG patients had a CAA before 1 month (2.2% vs 11.4%; P = .017). The duration of fever was shorter (P < .001) and CRP decreased more rapidly in the IVIG+PSL group than in the IVIG group (P = .001). Moreover, initial treatment failure was less frequent (5.6% vs 18.2%; P = .010) in the IVIG+PSL group. All patients assigned to the IVIG+PSL group completed treatment without major side effects. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of corticosteroids and IVIG improved clinical course and coronary artery outcome without causing untoward effects in children with acute KD.     

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目的探讨首次丙种球蛋白静脉注射(IVIG)无反应性川崎病(KD)的发生率及危险因素,及其再治疗方法的选择。方法总结2000—2004年北京45家医院KD患儿的临床资料,IVIG无反应性定义为首次IVIG治疗36h后体温仍超过38·5℃。结果1107例患儿纳入研究对象,1092例有急性期治疗资料,1052例(96·3%)接受IVIG治疗,135例对首次IVIG治疗无反应,发生率12·8%(135/1052)。Logistic回归分析发现血沉、GPT、WBC、发病至用IVIG的时间、血浆白蛋白及IVIG治疗剂量,是IVIG无反应性的独立危险因素(P<0·05)。对IVIG无反应者8例给第2剂2g/kg IVIG,5例热退;114例给1g/kg剂量IVIG治疗,35例(30·7%)热退;11例给400~600mg/kg IVIG,1例(9·1%)热退;2例给糖皮质激素,2例均热退。4种再治疗方法间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0·015)。第2剂2g/kg IVIG治疗较其它再治疗所需进一步IVIG或激素治疗次数少,体温恢复快。结论约12·8%KD患儿对初次IVIG治疗无反应。血沉、WBC和GPT、血浆白蛋白、IVIG使用方法及起病至用IVIG的时间,是IVIG无反应的独立危险因素。对初次IVIG无反应患儿推荐使用第2剂2g/kgIVIG,对2次2g/kgIVIG治疗仍无效者可以选用糖皮质激素治疗。     

静脉丙种球蛋白无反应性川崎病的治疗及危险因素分析

目的探讨首次丙种球蛋白静脉注射(IVIG)无反应性川崎病(KD)的发生率及危险因素,及其再治疗方法的选择。 方法总结2000—2004年北京45家医院KD患儿的临床资料,IVIG无反应性定义为首次IVIG治疗36h后体温仍超过38.5℃。 结果1107例患儿纳入研究对象,1092例有急性期治疗资料,1052例(96.3%)接受IVIG治疗,135例对首次IVIG治疗无反应,发生率12.8%(135/1052)。Logistic回归分析发现血沉、GPT、WBC、发病至用IVIG的时间、血浆白蛋白及IVIG治疗剂量,是IVIG无反应性的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。对IVIG无反应者8例给第2剂2g/kg IVIG,5例热退;114例给1g/kg剂量IVIG治疗,35例(30.7%)热退;11例给400~600mg/kg IVIG,1例(9.1%)热退;2例给糖皮质激素,2例均热退。4种再治疗方法间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.015)。第2剂2g/kg IVIG治疗较其它再治疗所需进一步IVIG或激素治疗次数少,体温恢复快。 结论约12.8%KD患儿对初次IVIG治疗无反应。血沉、WBC和GPT、血浆白蛋白、IVIG使用方法及起病至用IVIG的时间,是IVIG无反应的独立危险因素。对初次IVIG无反应患儿推荐使用第2剂2g/kgIVIG,对2次2g/kg IVIG治疗仍无效者可以选用糖皮质激素治疗。     

Steroid pulse therapy for Kawasaki disease unresponsive to additional immunoglobulin therapy

BACKGROUND:

The optimal management of Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse (IVMP) therapy in KD cases unresponsive to additional IVIG.

METHODS:

KD patients who initially received IVIG (2 g/kg/24 h) and acetylsalicylic acid within nine days after disease onset were studied. Patients who did not respond received additional IVIG (2 g/kg/24 h), and those who still did not respond were given IVMP (30 mg/kg/day) for three days, followed by oral prednisolone. The response to treatment, echocardiographic findings and adverse effects were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Among 412 KD cases, 74 (18.0%) were treated with additional IVIG; 21 (28.4%) of the latter cases subsequently received IVMP followed by prednisolone. All cases became afebrile soon after IVMP infusion and did not have a high-grade fever during treatment with prednisolone for two to six weeks. Four weeks after disease onset, coronary artery lesions (CAL) were diagnosed according to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare or the American Heart Association criteria in two of the 21 cases treated with IVMP plus prednisolone; among all 412 cases, three (0.7%) and eight (1.9%) had CAL according to each criteria, respectively. All CAL regressed completely one year after disease onset. Adverse effects of IVMP, such as hypothermia and sinus bradycardia, resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS:

In KD patients unresponsive to additional IVIG, IVMP promptly induced defervescence, and subsequent oral prednisolone suppressed recurrence of fever. IVMP followed by prednisolone therapy may prevent CAL, without severe adverse effects.     

Marker of T‐cell activation is elevated in refractory Kawasaki disease

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether T‐cell activation is involved in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD) resistant to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 27 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for KD. These 27 patients were divided into three groups according to their responses to IVIG: Group A, nine patients who showed no response to either initial IVIG or additional IVIG; Group B, six patients who did not respond to initial IVIG but did respond to additional IVIG; Group C, 12 patients who responded to initial IVIG. Serum samples were obtained before and after initial IVIG. Using a commercial chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, we examined the serum levels of two cytokines related to T‐cell activation and the severity of inflammation: soluble interleukin‐2 receptor and interleukin‐6. Results: There were no significant differences in the serum levels of the two cytokines before initial IVIG among the three groups, but significant intergroup differences were evident after initial IVIG in the serum levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (P < 0.01, Group A > C) and interleukin‐6 (P < 0.01, Group A > B > C). Conclusions: Our results show that marker of T‐cell activation is elevated most markedly in KD patients resistant to both initial and additional IVIG, and suggest that T cells may be activated in refractory KD.     

Steroid Pulse Therapy for Children With Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy–Resistant Kawasaki Disease: A Prospective Study

Patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who did not respond to the initial IVIG are known to have higher risk for developing coronary arterial lesions (CALs). Our aim is to clarify whether patients with initial IVIG resistant KD may benefit from methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPT) in comparison with re- treatment of IVIG (2nd IVIG). A total of 237 patients (median age: 2 years 2 months; range 1 months–10 years) with KD were initially treated with IVIG (2 g/kg). Among them, 41 patients (22 %) were assessed as IVIG resistance: these patients were allocated to either group A receiving MPT (n = 14) or group B receiving the 2nd IVIG (n = 27). Patients with resistant to the additional therapy (MPT or 2nd IVIG) were received second IVIG (group A) or MPT (group B). Changes in leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and albumin before and after an additional therapy were significantly greater in group A than those in group B. However, the prevalence of CALs did not differ between the groups (36 % in group A and 26 % in group B, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the medical cost between the groups (median cost: 92,032 JPY in group A and 97,331 JPY in group B). MPT does not reduce the risk of development to CAL and does not seem to be beneficial as single agent therapy for IVIG resistant KD.     

Re-treatment for immune globulin-resistant Kawasaki disease: A comparative study of additional immune globulin and steroid pulse therapy

BACKGROUND: We compared the efficacy and safety of additional intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy with steroid pulse therapy in patients with IVIG-resistant Kawasaki disease. METHODS: Two-hundred and sixty-two consecutive patients had been treated with a single dose of IVIG (2 g/kg) and aspirin (30 mg/kg per day). Thirty-five patients (13.4%) were not clinical responders to the initial IVIG treatment. They received an additional IVIG treatment (1 g/kg) within 48 h after the initial treatment. Seventeen patients (6.5%) did not respond to the additional IVIG treatment. We randomly divided these patients into two groups: group 1 consisted of eight patients who were treated with a single additional dose of IVIG (1 g/kg), while group 2 consisted of nine patients who were treated with steroid pulse therapy. RESULTS: The IVIG-resistant patients had a high incidence of coronary artery lesions (CAL; 48.6%). Five patients (62.5%) in group 1 had CAL, including two patients who each had a giant aneurysm and three patients who each had a small aneurysm. Seven patients (77.8%) in group 2 had CAL, including two patients who each had a giant aneurysm, two patients who each had a small coronary aneurysm and three patients who each showed transient dilatation during steroid pulse therapy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of CAL between the two groups. The duration of high fever in group 2 (1.4~0.7 days) was significantly shorter than in group 1 (4.8~3.4 days; P<0.05). The medical costs for the treatment of patients in group 2 (113, 012 yen +/- 22,084) were significantly lower than those for group 1 (144,194 yen +/- 12,914; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Steroid pulse therapy may be useful in the treatment of patients with IVIG-resistant Kawasaki disease who experience prolonged fever. However, transient dilatation of the coronary artery is observed during steroid pulse therapy, so careful echocardiographic examination should be performed for those patients receiving steroid pulse therapy for the sake of early detection of coronary artery abnormalities.     

再次应用静脉丙种球蛋白无反应川崎病的预测因素分析

目的 探讨再次应用丙种球蛋白（简称丙球）无反应川崎病(KD)的危险因素及预测指标。方法 收集2010年1月至2015年1月在重庆医科大学附属儿童医院收治的初次丙球无反应并接受再次丙球治疗的KD患儿,分为再次丙球有反应组和无反应组,对2组的临床特征及实验室指标进行回顾性分析。结果 81例KD患儿进入分析,再次丙球有反应组占75.3%（61/81）,无反应组占24.7%（20/81）。两组性别、年龄、初次丙球治疗前后临床表现和2次丙球使用间隔时间差异均无统计学意义。在初次丙球使用前,冠状动脉病变发生率、血常规（WBC、PLT、Hb、N）、CRP、肝功能、电解质等指标再次丙球有反应组和无反应组差异均无统计学意义。再次丙球治疗前与初次应用丙球前,血常规和CRP指标差值再次丙球有反应组和无反应组差异均无统计学意义。结论 初次丙球使用前的临床表现及实验室指标不能预测初次丙球无反应KD再次应用丙球是否有效,初次应用丙球后的临床表现及血常规、CRP指标对再次应用丙球是否有效亦无提示作用。     

大剂量静脉注射丙种球蛋白无反应性川崎病的临床分析

目的 探讨对大剂量静脉注射丙种球蛋白(IVIG)无反应性川崎病的发生率及临床特点,以及再治疗方案的选择.方法 回顾性总结2000年1月至2006年12月入院的KD患儿的临床资料,根据对首次大剂量IVIG有无反应分成IVIG敏感组和无反应组,比较两组的临床特点.结果 诊断为川崎病并接受IVIG治疗患儿222例,其中IVIG敏感者185例,无反应者37例,发生率16.67%(37/222).无反应组接受IVIG治疗时间早,发热时间长,住院时间长,白细胞总数、中性粒细胞比值、CRP明显高于敏感组,而血浆白蛋白明显低于敏感组.IVIG无反应组合并冠状动脉病变14例(37.84%),明显高于IVIG敏感组(15.68%).IVIG无反应组合并噬血细胞综合征2例,多发性冠状动脉瘤及心肌梗死者1例,多脏器功能衰竭死亡1例.对IVIG无反应者的冉治疗,给予IVIG追加疗法,甲基泼尼松龙冲击治疗,泼尼松口服治疗.结论 IVIG无反应性川崎病较IVIG敏感性川崎病更易发生冠状动脉病变和严重并发症;接受IVIG治疗时间、发热时间、中性粒细胞比值、CRP、血浆白蛋白是IVIG无反应的危险因素.对IVIG无反应性川崎病可以用IVIG追加治疗,无效者选用糖皮质激素.     

Maculopapular rash in the convalescent phase of Kawasaki disease: case series and literature review

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is currently the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD). Although IVIG therapy is generally well tolerated, several minor adverse reactions have been reported. We report a patient with KD treated with IVIG, who developed a cutaneous reaction in the convalescent phase (approximately 10 days after therapy). We identified seven additional KD cases with a similar presentation, accounting for 9.3 % of KD patients at our hospital. We performed a literature review and found that a maculopapular rash could be observed approximately 10 days after IVIG treatment, in patients with and those without KD. Conclusion: Maculopapular rash can occur in nearly 10 % of IVIG-treated children with KD in our cohort, approximately 10 days after treatment. A delayed-onset adverse event of IVIG could be a causative etiology of this unrecognized eruption.     

Comparison of the Laboratory Data Between Kawasaki Disease and Enterovirus After Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. The laboratory findings before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in KD have been discussed, but the characteristics of IVIG therapy still are unclear. This study aimed to compare laboratory data from patients with KD and enterovirus (EV) infection to evaluate the differences after IVIG therapy. The study enrolled 171 KD patients and 38 EV patients treated with a single dose of IVIG from 2003 to 2010. Laboratory data including total white blood cell counts (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb), platelet, segment, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and monocyte levels were analyzed. Compared with the KD patients, the EV patients had higher Hb, lymphocyte, and monocyte levels and lower eosinophil levels before IVIG treatment (p?<?0.05). After IVIG treatment, the KD patients had lower Hb and segment levels but higher platelet, lymphocyte, and eosinophil levels than the EV patients (p?<?0.05). In the KD patients, the platelet, eosinophil, and monocyte levels increased after IVIG treatment, whereas Hb, WBC, and segment levels decreased significantly (p?<?0.001). In the EV patients, eosinophil levels increased after IVIG treatment, whereas WBC and Hb levels decreased significantly (p?<?0.05). The study results provide evidence that eosinophilia may be related to IVIG therapy in KD and EV patients. The KD patients had higher eosinophil levels both before and after IVIG therapy than the EV patients, which may have been due to the inflammatory mechanism of KD. The KD patients had higher platelet levels than the EV patients, suggesting that platelets are involved in the inflammatory response to KD.     

Effects of methylprednisolone pulse on cytokine levels in Kawasaki disease patients unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin

This study aimed to determine the effects of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse (IVMP) therapy on cytokine levels in patients with acute Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Fifteen KD patients unresponsive to initial IVIG, 2 g/kg/day, were randomized to receive IVMP (n = 7), 30 mg/kg/day for 3 days or additional IVIG (n = 8), 2 g/kg/day, and plasma cytokine levels were compared. The fraction of febrile patients was significantly lower in the IVMP group than in the additional IVIG group on day 2 (0/7 vs. 3/8, p = 0.03), but not on day 4 and later (3/7 vs. 4/8, p = 1.00) because of recurrent fever. The prevalence of coronary lesions was similar between the two groups (2/7 vs. 2/8, p = 1.00). The ratios of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 to those at enrollment (defined as day 1) were significantly lower in the IVMP group on day 4 (0.50 +/- 0.27 vs. 1.01 +/- 0.46, 0.53 +/- 0.39 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.44, p = 0.02 and 0.045, respectively), but not on day 7 (0.54 +/- 0.34 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.39, 0.76 +/- 0.39 vs. 0.61 +/- 0.17, p = 0.07 and 0.83, respectively). The ratios of interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-6, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor to those at enrollment did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, for KD patients unresponsive to initial IVIG, IVMP suppresses cytokine levels faster, but subsequently similarly, compared with additional IVIG.     

Use of corticosteroids during acute phase of Kawasaki disease

In spite of initial intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treatment, a significant number of patients are unresponsive to it and are at a higher risk for coronary artery lesions. Corticosteroids have been used as a secondary drug or used in combination with IVIG. Three options of using corticosteroids for the treatment of patients during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, havebeen considered. The first is their use exclusively for patients unresponsive to IVIG treatment. The second is their use in combination with IVIG as the routine first line therapy for all patients. The last is the use in the combination as the first line therapy for selected patients at a high risk being unresponsive to initial IVIG. However, it is uncertain that the corticosteroids as the second line treatment are better than the additional IVIG in patients unresponsive to initial IVIG. The combination of corticosteroids and IVIG as the routine first line therapy also have not enough evidences. The last option of using corticosteroids- the combination of corticosteroids and IVIG in patients at high risk of unresponsiveness, is a properly reasonable treatment strategy. However, there have been no globally standardized predictive models for the unresponsiveness to initial IVIG treatment. Therefore, future investigations to determine the best predictive model are necessary.     

Variations in the Number of CCL3L1 Gene Copies and Kawasaki Disease in Korean Children

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is the highly effective and standard treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD). However, ~20?% of KD patients have persistent fever or recurrence of fever after the initial IVIG treatment, which increases the risk for coronary artery lesions (CALs). Furthermore, the mechanism of IVIG resistance in KD patients still is unknown. The number of CC chemokine ligand 3-like 1 (CCL3L1) gene copies is reported to be associated with KD and IVIG resistance in Japanese patients. In addition, the authors observed significant upregulation of the CCL3L1 gene expression after in vitro immunoglobulin treatment in B cell lines derived from KD patients. Therefore, this study of 459?KD patients and 496 healthy control subjects tested whether the number of CCL3L1 gene copies is associated with a risk of KD, CALs, and/or IVIG resistance in Korean KD patients. However, the number of CCL3L1 gene copies was not associated with KD (P?=?0.18), CAL formation (P?=?0.062), or the IVIG resistance (P?=?0.90). Therefore, the results indicate that the number of CCL3L1 gene copies does not have a role in susceptibility to KD or CALs nor with IVIG resistance in Korean KD patients.