Relation between Kawasaki Disease and Immunoglobulin E

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease is a systemic vascular disease which is caused by an immunologic response. The purpose of this study is to see how a high IgE level affects Kawasaki disease, in two groups of high IgE level and low IgE level. METHODS: A retrospective study was done from 2008 to 2010, among patients, who were admitted in Severance Children's Hospital for Kawasaki disease with IgE levels checked. Age groups with an IgE level above reference ranges and those with normal ranges were done. Also, clinical characteristics were analyzed. Statistical method was done by SPSS 18. RESULTS: A total of 198 Kawasaki patients were analyzed from 2008 to 2010. Among them 123 (62%) patients showed elevated IgE levels. Patients with high IgE had a significantly higher lymphadenopathy prevalence (p=0.006), however they had no connection with quantitative values. Patients with BCG site redness appeared to have lower IgE levels than patients without redness. Coronary complication had no relation with IgE levels. There was no correlation between laboratory results and IgE levels. CONCLUSION: 62% of Kawasaki disease patients show high IgE levels in our study. The symptoms of BCG site redness aged less than 1 year seemed to be related with IgE level. To understand the pathophysiology of Kawasaki disease, more studies should be performed on the role of IgE.