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Macro creatine kinase in Kawasaki disease
Y Inoue1, T Kobayashi, T Tomomasa
1Department of Pediatrics, Gunma University School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
Pediatric Cardiology
|March 25, 1999
Summary
This case report details a child with Kawasaki disease who developed macro creatine kinase (CK), an unusual enzyme variant. This finding suggests potential muscle tissue involvement during the illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile vasculitis affecting medium-sized arteries, primarily in children.
- Elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels can indicate muscle damage, but macro CK is a less common finding.
Observation:
- A 13-month-old boy presented with typical Kawasaki disease symptoms.
- Serum CK levels dramatically increased during treatment, from 371 U/L to 13,222 U/L.
- Immunofixation electrophoresis confirmed the presence of macro creatine kinase (macro CK) complexed with immunoglobulin A.
Findings:
- The study identified macro CK in a pediatric patient with Kawasaki disease.
- The macro CK was characterized as an immunoglobulin A (kappa, lambda) complex.
- The significant elevation in CK levels suggests a potential link between the disease and muscle tissue.
Implications:
- The presence of macro CK may serve as a biomarker for muscle tissue involvement in Kawasaki disease.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis of macro CK in vasculitic conditions.
- This case highlights the importance of investigating unusual laboratory findings in pediatric inflammatory diseases.