Impaired granulocyte chemotaxis and increased circulating immune complexes in Kawasaki disease

Our study was carried out to clarify the changes in granulocyte functions and circulating immune complexes in 32 children with Kawasaki disease. Patients were divided into two groups, those with or without coronary aneurysm. In the group with coronary aneurysm, impairment of both granulocyte chemotaxis and phagocytosis was found, together with higher circulating immune complexes and normal intracellular killing activity. In the group without coronary aneurysm, impaired phagocytosis was observed, with normal granulocyte chemotaxis, circulating immune complexes, and intracellular killing activity. No correlation was observed between granulocyte chemotaxis and circulating immune complexes. Impairment of granulocyte chemotaxis and circulating immune complexes may yield pertinent information as to the degree of severity of vasculitis in Kawasaki disease.