The Relationship Between the Serum Level of Cytokines (Interleukin-2, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, Interferon-gamma) and the Erythematous Induration of BCG Site in the Children with Kawasaki Disease

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the clinical findings and the changes of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines according to the presence of erythematous induration at BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) site in the children with Kawasaki disease. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with Kawasaki disease were classified into a group with erythematous induration at BCG site (BCG (+), n=14, M F=11 3) and a group without skin changes at BCG site (BCG (-), n=17, M F=12 5). Levels of various laboratory parameters and cytokines including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined four times on admission day, 3-4 days, 2 weeks and 8 weeks after intravenous immunoglobuin injection. RESULTS: The age of onset in BCG (+) group was significantly younger than BCG (-) group (15+/-8 months vs. 31+/-16 months, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other clinical findings and laboratory parameters except elevated ESR in BCG (-) group. There was no difference in complications of coronary arteries and cardiac function between two groups. The serum levels of IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 were increased in all patients at the diagnosis, but there were no significant differences between BCG (-) and BCG (-) groups. The serial changes of cytokines did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSION: In Kawasaki disease, BCG site injection seems to develop in younger age and not to be related to the differences of immunologic inflammatory response.