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Co-morbidity of Kawasaki disease

Fang-Liang Huang1, Te-Kau Chang, Sheng-Ling Jan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, No. 160, Sec. 3, Chung-Kang Rd., Taichung, 407, Taiwan.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|November 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Kawasaki disease may be linked to simultaneous Epstein-Barr virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia can also occur post-intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The exact cause of Kawasaki disease (KD) remains unknown despite extensive research.
  • Clinical and epidemiological data suggest an infectious etiology for KD, but definitive proof is lacking.

Observation:

  • A case study of a 3.5-year-old boy with Kawasaki disease is presented.
  • The patient experienced prolonged fever and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
  • He subsequently developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and his fever resolved after azithromycin treatment.

Findings:

  • The patient was co-infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • EBV infection was confirmed through lymph node pathology and serological tests.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was indicated by positive serological tests.
  • This is the first reported case of KD associated with concurrent EBV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in English literature.
  • AIHA was observed in a KD patient following high-dose IVIG administration.

Implications:

  • Simultaneous infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Epstein-Barr virus may play a role in Kawasaki disease development.
  • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a potential complication in Kawasaki disease patients treated with high-dose IVIG.
  • This case highlights the need for further investigation into infectious triggers of KD and associated complications.

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