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Identifying Dysregulated Genes Induced by Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
07:02

Identifying Dysregulated Genes Induced by Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)

Published on: September 14, 2010

Kawasaki disease

Fernanda Falcini1

  • 1A. Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Firenze and Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology Unit, Firenze, Italy. falcini@unifi.it

Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|December 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Kawasaki disease diagnosis is challenging, especially in incomplete cases. Including laboratory values in diagnostic criteria can help identify at-risk children early, improving outcomes and preventing coronary artery damage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric rheumatology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease presents diagnostic challenges, particularly atypical or incomplete forms.
  • Current diagnostic criteria are often inadequate for early detection, increasing coronary damage risk.
  • Early diagnosis is crucial for timely treatment and preventing long-term cardiac complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent data on Kawasaki disease etiology and pathogenesis.
  • To emphasize the inclusion of altered laboratory values in revised diagnostic criteria.
  • To improve the identification of patients with incomplete Kawasaki disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on Kawasaki disease.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and their limitations.
  • Exploration of novel diagnostic and monitoring tools.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 15% of treated children experience persistent or recurrent fever, requiring further treatment.
  • Endothelial damage can lead to coronary stenosis and ischemia, even in initially asymptomatic cases.
  • Giant coronary artery aneurysms remain a severe, life-threatening complication with no consensus on management.

Conclusions:

  • Earlier recognition and aggressive treatment have improved patient quality of life.
  • Identifying high-risk children for coronary artery aneurysms is vital to prevent sudden death.
  • Elevated inflammation markers, anemia, low sodium/albumin, and fever warrant suspicion for Kawasaki disease, even with absent clinical signs.
Abstract

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