Selective high dose gamma-globulin treatment in Kawasaki disease: Assessment of clinical aspects and cost effectiveness

BACKGROUND: High-dose intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) plus aspirin (ASA) treatment is effective in preventing coronary artery complications in acute Kawasaki disease (KD). However, gamma-globulin is very expensive, especially in Japan. Furthermore the indication for IVGG treatment and the optimal dose of gamma-globulin remain controversial. OBJECTIVES: To examine these two issues, we used Harada's scoring system to investigate whether a single 2 g/kg dose therapy has any advantage over the 5 day 400 mg/kg per day therapy. METHODS: We studied 203 patients with KD who had no coronary artery complications on admission. Of these, 145 patients scored 4 or more on Harada score within the first 9 days of illness and were treated with IVGG treatment. Using a random number table, 72 patients were selected to receive a single 2 g/kg dose (2 g group), while the remaining 73 patients were treated with 400 mg/kg per day for 5 consecutive days (400 mg group). Those who had a Harada score of three or less received no IVGG (non-IVGG group) treatment (58 patients). RESULTS: The incidence rate of coronary artery complications in the 2 g group was significantly lower than in the 400 mg group. The duration of high fever, positive duration of C-reactive protein and the number of hospital days in the 2 g group were each significantly shorter than in the 400 mg group. The total medical expense in the 2 g group was significantly lower than in the 400 mg group. There were no coronary artery complications in the non-IVGG group. CONCLUSIONS: It was found to be clinically more effective and more cost effective to select a patient by Harada's scoring system and, where a score of four or more was obtained, to administer a single 2 g/kg intravenous dose of gamma-globulin for acute KD.     

Reduction of peripheral blood macrophages/monocytes in Kawasaki disease by intravenous gammaglobulin

The effects of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) on changes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets during acute Kawasaki disease (KD) were studied by a random selection trial of IVGG plus Aspirin (group G) compared to Aspirin alone (group A). Group G received IVGG with 200 mg/kg per day × 5 dose. The absolute counts of peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets were assayed by a fluorescence-activated cell sorter using monoclonal antibodies of Leu series. Before therapy, patients in each treatment group had increased counts of CD14+ macrophage/monocytes compared to healthy childhood controls (P<0.01). After IVGG treatment, group G underwent a greater decrease in their CD14+ macrophage/monocyte counts (P<0.01) than group A. The changes of CD3+ T cells, Leu 7+ NK/K cells and CD19+ B cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets with treatment in group G, were similar to those in group A. These results suggest the possibility that IVGG therapy is effective in KD by modulating macrophages/monocytes.     

Intravenous γ-Globulin for Kawasaki Disease

We studied the effect of γ-globulin (IVGG) and aspirin (ASA) on the development of the coronary artery lesions (CAL) of Kawasaki disease (KD) in three different protocols. Within 29 days of the onset of KD the echocardiographic evidence of CAL had developed in 39–42% of the patients in the ASA group, but only in 13.7–20.8% of the patients treated with IVGG (200 or 400 mgγkgX5). In long-term follow-up observation of CAL of these patients the evidence of CAL in both the ASA and the IVGG group regressed gradually; however, the residual rate of CAL was significantly low in the IVGG group at all times up to 24 months after onset. These facts suggest that when using IVGG for KD, we should select a dose of intact γ-globulin, 1,000 mgγkg or more in total, to prevent the occurrence of CAL. We have demonstrated not only a significant reduction in the occurrence of CAL in patients treated with IVGG but a reduction in the residual rate of CAL for two years as compared with those treated by ASA.     

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目的探讨10d内已退热的川崎病(KD)患儿应用丙种球蛋白(IVGG)治疗的必要性以及不同剂量IVGG治疗对KD预后的影响。方法研究对象为1999-10—2005-10山东省菏泽市立医院收治的56例KD患儿,所有患儿均为10d内退热后确诊且无冠脉病变。按IVGG治疗剂量分成3组,A组(11例)用1g/kg,B组(26例)用2g/kg,C组(19例)未使用,余治疗相同。对其冠状动脉损害(CAL)情况进行对比。结果病程14~21d时发生CAL例数:A组2例(18·18%),B组4例(15·38%),C组16例(84·21%),A、B组比较差异无显著性意义(P>0·05);A、B组与C组之间差异有非常显著性意义(P<0·01)。随访0·5年CAL例数:A组1例(9·09%),B组1例(3·85%),C组11例(57·89%),A、B组比较差异无显著性意义(P>0·05),而A、B组与C组之间差异有非常显著性意义(P<0·01)。结论10d内一经确诊的KD无论是否已退热均应给予IVGG治疗,对已退热且无冠脉损害的患儿应用总量1g/kg IVGG治疗可以达到满意的效果。     

Coronary risk factors in Kawasaki disease treated with additional gammaglobulin.

AIMS: To assess the hypothesis that an additional intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) infusion, if administered early, may prevent coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who do not respond to initial IVGG therapy. METHODS: Forty four KD patients (17 with CAL and 27 without CAL), treated with additional IVGG because of persistent or recrudescent fever after initial IVGG therapy, were studied. Main outcome measures were the presence of CAL by echocardiography and the number of febrile days before and after start of additional IVGG infusion (pre- and post-additional IVGG). RESULTS: In univariate analyses, risk factors for CAL were the number of febrile days pre-additional IVGG, the number of febrile days post-additional IVGG, the number of days that initial IVGG was divided over, the white blood cell count pre- and post-additional IVGG, and the C reactive protein concentration pre-additional IVGG. In a multivariate analysis, the only independent risk factor was the number of febrile days pre-additional IVGG (> or =10 days; odds ratio 7.86; 95% CI 1.44 to 42.8; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among KD patients with persistent or recrudescent fever after initial IVGG therapy, administration of additional IVGG before the first 10 febrile days was associated with a decreased prevalence of CAL, when compared with the prevalence in those who were retreated later. An additional IVGG infusion, if administered early, may prevent CAL in initial IVGG non-responders.     

Coronary risk factors in Kawasaki disease treated with additional gammaglobulin

Aims: To assess the hypothesis that an additional intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) infusion, if administered early, may prevent coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who do not respond to initial IVGG therapy. Methods: Forty four KD patients (17 with CAL and 27 without CAL), treated with additional IVGG because of persistent or recrudescent fever after initial IVGG therapy, were studied. Main outcome measures were the presence of CAL by echocardiography and the number of febrile days before and after start of additional IVGG infusion (pre- and post-additional IVGG). Results: In univariate analyses, risk factors for CAL were the number of febrile days pre-additional IVGG, the number of febrile days post-additional IVGG, the number of days that initial IVGG was divided over, the white blood cell count pre- and post-additional IVGG, and the C reactive protein concentration pre-additional IVGG. In a multivariate analysis, the only independent risk factor was the number of febrile days pre-additional IVGG (⩾10 days; odds ratio 7.86; 95% CI 1.44 to 42.8; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Among KD patients with persistent or recrudescent fever after initial IVGG therapy, administration of additional IVGG before the first 10 febrile days was associated with a decreased prevalence of CAL, when compared with the prevalence in those who were retreated later. An additional IVGG infusion, if administered early, may prevent CAL in initial IVGG non-responders.     

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.     

Effect of Intravenous γ-Globulin on Neutrophil Function in Kawasaki Disease

The effect of intravenous γ-globulin (IVGG) on the neutrophil count and neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) of patients with Kawasaki Disease (KD) was investigated. Forty patients with KD were enrolled in the study. Ten patients were treated with 100 mg/kg/day of γ-globulin for five days (GG 100 group) and 14 patients were treated with 400 mg/kg/day of γ-globulin (GG 400 group) for five days. These patients also took aspirin. Sixteen patients were treated with aspirin alone (ASA group). The neutrophil counts were significantly lower in the GG 400 and GG 100 groups than in the ASA group, three days, and one and two weeks after the start of treatment. Neutrophil CL of the GG 400 and GG 100 groups was significantly lower than in the ASA group one and two weeks after the start of treatment. In the in vitro study, γ-globulin had a dose-dependent suppressive effect on the neutrophil CL in the early stage. Albumin had similar effects. The suppressive effect of γ-globulin on CL was not specific. These findings suggest that IVGG is effective in reducing the production of active oxygen which is considered responsible for the vascular damage in the early stage of KD.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in patients with Kawasaki disease: diagnostic value for the prediction of coronary artery lesion and implication for a new mode of therapy

Kawasaki disease (KD) in children takes the form of acute systemic vasculitis, which causes coronary artery dilation and aneurysm formation in 10% to 15% of the patients. We have recently shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are intimately involved in coronary arterial wall destruction and the resultant formation of coronary artery lesions (CALs) in this disease. Plasminogen activators (PAs) are known to be a major pathway of MMP activation, and this suggests that their inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), also plays important roles in the development of CALs in KD. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that circulating levels of PAI-I are related to CAL formation in KD. Plasma levels of PAI-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in 37 KD patients without CALs (group 1) and 7 KD patients with CALs (group 2). Blood samples were obtained before and after i.v. gammaglobulin therapy (IVGG), and in the convalescent stage. Levels of PAI-1 were significantly higher in KD patients before IVGG than in 18 age-matched healthy control subjects (p < 0.01). More importantly, both pre-IVGG and post-IVGG levels of PAI-1 were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, PAI-1 levels of 9 patients from group 1 who showed pre-IVGG PAI-1 levels higher than the minimum PAI-1 level in group 2 significantly decreased after IVGG, whereas PAI-1 levels of group 2 patients remained persistently elevated, further suggesting a close association between PAI-1 and CAL development in KD. Thus, PAI-1 may be useful as a predictive marker for CAL development in KD. Studies of the effects of PA inhibition on coronary outcome may provide evidence that PA is a viable therapeutic target for the prevention of KD-related CALs.     

川崎病丙种球蛋白治疗策略与心脏损害及冠状动脉病变的相关性研究(1998-2008上海地区调查报告)(英文)

目的 川崎病(Kawasaki disease,KD)是一种病因未明的全身血管炎性综合征,伴冠状动脉病变(coronary artery lesion,CAL);大剂量静脉注射丙种球蛋白(intravenous immunoglobulin,IVIG)治疗KD的临床疗效肯定,但目前IVIG的用法和用量尚存在争议.该研究主要为评价不同IVIG方法治疗.KD的效果,探讨最佳治疗方案.方法 由上海市儿科心血管学组制定统一的KD调查表,发放到上海提供儿科服务的50家医院.回顾性分析1998-2008年上海地区住院KD患者的临床资料.共收集完全符合要求的KD患者资料表格1682例,其中男性1064例(63.3%),女性618例(36.7%);发病年龄(2.57±2.33)岁(0.1～18.8岁).治疗KD的IVIG方案包括1 g/ks×1次、2 g/kg×1次、0.4～0.5 g/kg×5次、1 g/kg×2次、2 g/kg×2次及其他.采用SAS 6.12统计软件包进行统计分析,计数资料采用X2检验计算;计量资料数据以X-±s表示,采用t检验.结果 在KD病程的5～10 d应用IVIG有助于最大化降低KD患者的CAL发生率;所有IVIG的KD患者中,应用方案1g/kg×2次治疗者心脏损害、冠脉病变的发生率均为最低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 在KD病程5～10 d以IVIG 1g/kg×2次的剂量,有助于最大化降低KD患者的CAL发生率.     

Efficacy of intravenous immune globulin therapy combined with dexamethasone for the initial treatment of acute Kawasaki disease

We studied the effects of a new regimen consisting of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) combined with dexamethasone (DEX) on clinical outcome and serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD). A total of 46 KD patients received 0.3 mg/kg per day DEX plus heparin i.v. for 3 consecutive days, together with 2 g/kg IVIG over 4 to 5 days (DEX group). Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was started after completion of DEX therapy. The control group consisted of 46 KD patients retrospectively treated earlier with 2 g/kg IVIG over 4 to 5 days plus higher dose acetylsalicylic acid (CONTROL group). No serious adverse effect was noted in either group. There were no differences in baseline and post-treatment laboratory data except for C-reactive protein between the groups. Post-treatment C-reactive protein in the DEX group (median 0.9 mg/dl, range 0.0 to 24.7 mg/dl) was lower than that (1.2 mg/dl, range 0.2 to 19.5 mg/dl) in the CONTROL group ( P =0.033 by Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, the mean duration of fever after the first IVIG infusion was 2.2 days (median 1 day, range 1 to 12 days) in the DEX group and 2.8 days (2 days, 1 to 16 days) in the CONTROL group ( P =0.015 by Mann-Whitney U test). The new regimen did not reduce VEGF levels. Two patients in each group developed small- or medium-sized coronary artery aneurysms. Conclusion:although this regimen did not affect coronary outcome, intravenous immune globulin therapy combined with dexamethasone for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease was safe and may accelerate the resolution of systemic inflammation.Abbreviations CAA coronary artery aneurysms - DEX dexamethasone - IVIG intravenous immune globulin - KD Kawasaki disease - VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor     

Use of Intravenous γ-Globulin for Kawasaki Disease: Effects on Cardiac Sequelae

The administration of intravenous γ-globulin (IVGG) for Kawasaki disease was investigated throughout Japan in 1993 by obtaining information from pediatric departments in 2652 hospitals that had more than 100 beds. Of 11,221 reported patients, 8958 patients (79.8%) received IVGG treatment. Of all the patients to whom IVGG was administered, the most common total dose was 1000 mg/kg (36.3%) followed by 2000 mg/kg (16.9%) and 1200 mg/kg (16.8%). The treatment was started in 53.8% by day 5 of the illness and in 83.7% by day 7. The proportion of those with cardiac sequelae was higher among patients administered >2000 mg/kg or in those started on IVGG on day 9 of their illness or later. The possible reasons are (1) those who were more severely affected were treated with high-dose IVGG earlier; or (2) IVGG does not effectively prevent cardiac sequelae. We concluded that there is a risk of unfavorable effects with IVGG regarding cardiac sequelae when the IVGG dose is >2000 mg/kg or if IVGG is started on day 9 or later. We believe that only a randomized controlled trial, undertaken prospectively, can adequately address the question of the optimal use of IVGG.     

人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病小鼠冠状动脉损伤的作用

目的 探讨人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病（KD）小鼠模型冠状动脉损伤（CAL）的治疗作用及信号通路。方法 将BALB/C小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、阿司匹林组、人参皂苷Rb1低剂量组（50 mg/kg）和高剂量组（100 mg/kg）,每组12只。除对照组外的其他各组均采用间断性腹腔注射10%牛血清白蛋白溶液进行造模;阿司匹林组、Rb1低剂量组和高剂量组分别在造模后给予相应药物灌胃20 d。苏木精-伊红染色观察冠状动脉组织病理变化;ELISA法检测各组小鼠血清和冠状动脉组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-6和IL-1β等相关炎症因子;Western blot法检测各组小鼠冠状动脉组织中调控自噬信号通路（AMPK/mTOR）和氧化应激信号通路（PI3K/AKT）相关蛋白的相对表达水平。结果 病理切片结果显示,与模型组相比,高剂量Rb1显著改善了CAL小鼠的血管壁增厚、内膜水肿、纤维断裂和内皮细胞炎性浸润等症状。和对照组相比,模型组、Rb1低剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;而模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K、P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）。和模型组相比,阿司匹林组、Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1低、高剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）,且两个剂量组之间有剂量依赖性（P < 0.05）;Rb1低剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K表达水平差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）,P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平增加（P < 0.05）,而Rb1高剂量组上述3种蛋白相对表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。和Rb1低剂量组相比,阿司匹林组和Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1高剂量组的P-PI3K/PI3K和P-AKT/AKT表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。结论 人参皂苷Rb1可有效减轻KD小鼠模型CAL,疗效与Rb1使用剂量有关。其作用机制可能与通过调控自噬信号通路AMPK/mTOR/P70S6抑制CAL炎症,同时调控氧化应激信号通路PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β发挥保护冠状动脉内皮细胞生物学活性有关。     

川崎病患儿血清中基质金属蛋白酶-9及其组织抑制物-1的变化

目的评价基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及其组织抑制物-1(TIMP-1)在川崎病(KD)发病机制中的作用。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测33例KD患儿治疗前后血清MMP-9及TIMP-1的含量,并设置无热、发热对照组;同时检测KD患儿外周血中性粒细胞计数、C反应蛋白(CRP)等指标。结果KD组患儿急性期MMP-9血清水平较对照组升高,合并冠脉损害(CAL)者尤甚,治疗后降至正常;MMP-9的升高与外周血中性粒细胞计数、CRP呈正相关;KD患儿无论是否合并CAL,其急性期TIMP-1血清水平均高于对照组,治疗后虽有所下降,仍较对照组高;MMP-9/TIMP-1比值在KD组急性期与对照组差异无统计学意义,治疗后较无热对照组降低,与发热对照组差异无统计学意义。结论MMP-9作为一种损害因素参与了川崎病的病理生理过程,而TIMP-1可抑制其作用;MMP-9的水平可反映KD的严重程度。     

School-aged children with Kawasaki disease: high incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy and coronary artery involvement

OBJECTIVE: We describe 10 school-aged children with Kawasaki disease (KD) with a high incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy and coronary abnormality. METHODS: Based on a database of 1002 children with KD in Chang Gung Children's Hospital from January 1983 to March 2001, 10 (1%) school-aged patients (five boys, five girls) who met the diagnostic criteria of KD were included for analysis. RESULTS: Cervical lymphadenopathy was noted in all (100%) of these patients. Unilateral neck mass mimicking acute suppurative infections not responding to antibiotic therapy was the initial presentation in nine (90%) of the 10 patients. The mean interval between disease onset and diagnosis was 9.9 +/- 3.3 days (range, 6-15 days). Seven (70%) of these patients responded to one course of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy (2 g/kg) and oral aspirin (80-100 mg/kg per day), two (20%) required a second course of IVIG, and one (10%) responded to high-dose aspirin treatment only. Coronary artery abnormality (dilatation or aneurysm) was documented by echocardiography in seven (70%) patients (four boys, three girls). In six patients, the coronary artery abnormalities resolved in 1 year, while one patient had persistent right coronary artery aneurysm, which necessitated continued anticoagulant and low-dose aspirin therapy. CONCLUSION: The incidence of school-aged children among patients with KD is about 1% in our hospital. These patients are notable for the high incidence of initial manifestations of unilateral neck mass and coronary artery involvement. This disease should be listed as the differential diagnosis in school-aged children presenting with fever and neck mass that do not respond to antibiotic therapy.     

Patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease before the fifth day of illness have a higher risk of coronary artery aneurysm

BACKGROUND: A fever lasting for at least 5 days is an essential characteristic of the original diagnostic criteria of Kawasaki disease (KD). However, it is not difficult for an experienced physician to confirm the diagnosis of KD before the fifth day of fever. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of intravenous gamma globulin therapy (IVGG) in KD initiated before the fifth day of illness. METHODS: A total of 125 patients treated with IVGGwere divided into group A (IVGG was initiated before the fifth day of illness, n= 46) and group B (IVGG was initiated at the fifth day or after, n= 79). Patients' characteristics,laboratory findings, treatments and outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: White blood cell count value, C-reactive protein and Harada's score showed no difference between the groups. A significantly higher average value of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) was observed in group A. Although the treatments were identical in both groups, the average duration of fever from the initial day of IVGG in group A was significantly longer than in group B. The incidence of aneurysm in group A was significantly higher than that in group B. Stepwise regression analysis using aneurysm as a dependent variable revealed that group A and ALT were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with KD before the fifth day of illness showed a poor response to IVGG. This observation might be related to high ALT values. Further examination concerning the modification of treatment in such patients is necessary.     

Kawasaki disease differs from anaphylactoid purpura and measles with regard to tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 in serum

It has been reported that tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) is capable of inducing vascular injury, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) of inducing production of acute phase proteins and the maturation of megakaryocytes. Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis with severe inflammation. We investigated whether TNF- and IL-6 activities in serum from patients with KD differs from those in anaphylactoid purpura (AP) and measles. Serum TNF- levels were measured by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and IL-6 activities in serum were assessed by a colourimetric assay. Both KD and AP patients but not patients with measles had increased serum TNF- levels during the acute stage. With respect to IL-6, patients with KD and measles, but not AP, had increased IL-6 activities in serum during the acute stage. IL-6 activities in serum of KD patients correlated with serum C-reactive protein levels and correlated to some extent with maximum platelet counts during the course of illness. These results suggest that KD differs from AP and measles regarding both cytokines. The combination of TNF-, which may be responsible for severe vascular injury, and IL-6, which may be responsible for severe inflammation, may play an important role in acute KD.     

静脉输注丙种球蛋白防治川崎病冠状动脉病变的疗效

目的评价静脉输注丙种球蛋白(IVIG)治疗和预防川崎病(KD)冠状动脉病变(CAL)的疗效,探讨IVIG疗效的影响因素。方法对314例KD患儿的临床资料进行回顾性对比观察。按治疗将患儿分为阿司匹林(ASA) IVIG组和ASA组,观察两组CAL发生、恢复情况、不同时机不同剂量IVIG治疗KD疗效、临床及实验室指标,急性期出现CAL者分别于病程1,3,6,12个月复查。结果ASA IVIG组CAL发生率34.3%,ASA组56.0%,两组比较P<0.001。应IVIG2.0g/kg或1.0g/kg以及在病程3～10d应用IVIG,CAL发牛率低,P<0.05。22.2?L发生在IVIG治疗后;13.4?L在病程12个月仍不能恢复正常,多数为IVIG治疗开始时间超过10d者。ASA IVIG组住院时间、退热时间、总热程缩短,血小板计数、血沉、C反应蛋白显著降低(P<0.05)。IVIG耐药病例占10.5%。结论IVIG治疗可显著缩短KD病程和降低CAL发生,但对川崎病CAL防治并非人们所预期的那样有效,实际疗效需要再评价。     

Coronary risk factors in acute Kawasaki disease: Correlation of serum immunoglobulin levels with coronary complications

Abstract Background To determine the usefulness of the IgG z-score (age and sex-standardized serum IgG level) before intravenous gamma globulin therapy (1VGG) in predicting the occurrence or severity of coronary complications in Kawasaki disease (KD).
Methods A case-control study of clinical and laboratory findings with 88 children in the early stage of acute KD who received IVGG (100 or 200 mg/kg for2–5 days) therapy. Of these, 20 cases had persistent coronary arterial lesions (small aneurysm, moderate aneurysm or large aneurysm persisting more than 1 month). The controls comprised 68 children with no coronary aneurysms or transient small aneurysm only observed within 1 month after the onset of KD. The association between serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA as well as other coronary risk factors previously reported and the occurrence of the coronary arterial lesions was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.
Results: After adjustment for age, gender, total IVGG dose before the 9th illness day and other traditional coronary risk factors, the odds ratio for the persistent coronary aneurysm associated with lower serum IgG r-score (<-0.7485 v.v & -0.7485). was 30.3 (95% confidence interval, 3.8–243.2). Furthermore, the serum IgG z-score was inversely correlated with the severity of the coronary arterial lesion.
Conclusions: The IgG z-score before IVGG therapy in the early stage of KD provides useful information on the risk factors for persistent coronary aneurysm and is a novel, additional indicator for therapy to prevent the coronary complications in acute KD.     

Iv gamma globulin treatment of Kawasaki disease in Japan: results of a nationwide survey

The administration of iv gamma globulin (IVGG) for Kawasaki disease was investigated throughout Japan in 1993 by obtaining information from the pediatric departments of 2652 hospitals with more than 100 beds. A total of 1826 hospitals (68.9%) responded, reporting on 11 221 patients who were diagnosed during the survey period from January 1991 to December 1992. There were 8958 patients (79.8%) who received IVGG treatment. The most common treatment modality was 200mg/kg (29.6%), followed by 400mg/kg (18.7%) and 300mg/kg (12.9%), all for 5 days. The distributions of total dose were: 1000 mg/kg or less, 45.7%; 1001-1500 mg/kg, 27.3%; and over 1500 mg/kg, 23.8%. For all patients to whom IVGG was administered, treatment was started in 53.8% by day 5 of illness and in 86.1 % by day 7. The proportion of those with cardiac sequelae was higher in patients who were treated with IVGG, possibly due to the fact that those who were more severely affected were more likely to be treated with IVGG. Epidemiology, gamma globulin treatment, Japan, Kawasaki disease