Kawasaki disease complicated by macrophage activation syndrome treated with canakinumab

Stejara A Netea1,2, Diana van Stijn1, Mariken P Gruppen1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Human Immunity
|May 22, 2026
PubMed

An infant presented with macrophage activation syndrome as part of Kawasaki disease, and was first treated with canakinumab, followed by methylprednisolone and IVIG. Despite early treatment, giant coronary artery aneurysms developed transiently, questioning the singular role of IL-1 in KD.