Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Kawasaki Disease – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537163/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited medium vessel vasculitis that has a predilection for the coronary arteries. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is still not known and may be related to a wind-borne or water-borne pathogen. However, in recent years there have been studies that have shown certain genetic markers (such as HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw22j2 serotypes, chemokine receptor gene-cluster CCR2-CCR5 haplotypes and FCGR3A polymorphism of the IgG receptor IIIa) show a predisposition to the disease. […] There is no evidence to suggest that the disease passes from person to person. Multiple organisms of bacterial and viral origin have are under suspicion as a cause, but to date, no single agent has been identified as the leading cause. […] However, there has been evidence showing over 40% of children diagnosed with KD have tested positive for viral respiratory pathogens.

• #2 Kawasaki Disease – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/miscellaneous-disorders-in-infants-and-children/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a vasculitis of medium-sized arteries, most significantly the coronary arteries, which are involved in about 20% of untreated patients. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease is unknown, but the epidemiology and clinical presentation suggest an infection or, more likely, an abnormal immunologic response to an infection in genetically predisposed children. Autoimmune disease is also a possibility. […] Children of Japanese descent have a particularly high incidence, but Kawasaki disease occurs worldwide. […] Cases occur year-round but most often in spring or winter. […] With adequate therapy, mortality in the United States is 0.17%. […] Kawasaki disease is a childhood systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology; it is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.

• #3

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #4 A possible etiology of Kawasaki Disease

  https://oatext.com/A-possible-etiology-of-Kawasaki-Disease.php

  According to Marian E. Melish, Kawasaki disease was first reported by Samuel Gee in 1871, although the disease was not described as „infantile periarteritis nodosa” at that time. […] In spite of the fact that a great number of outstanding pathologists as well as pediatricians have researched, the disease’s etiology has not been demonstrated. […] As far as the etiology of Kawasaki disease is concerned, it may not appear that there is some relationship between them, i.e., the disease’s etiology and the antibodies’ potentiality to exchange mutually. […] In conclusion, the extremely hygienic environment of Japanese infants is responsible for their high incident rate to suffer from Kawasaki disease. […] Although no evidence is available, yet, patients of Kawasaki disease may have an abnormally large quantity of anti-arterial antibody.

• #5 What Is Kawasaki Disease | Children’s Hospital Colorado

  https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/conditions/kawasaki-disease/

  Kawasaki disease was first described in the 1960s by a pediatrician in Japan named Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki. […] Fifty years later, with the cause of Kawasaki still unknown, doctors and researchers remain searching for answers to the very puzzling disease. […] Although the cause of the disease is not known, doctors and researchers (including many here at Children’s Hospital Colorado) think it may be an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal reaction of a child’s own immune system. […] If properly treated, full recovery can be expected in most cases, but the possibilities of blood vessel and heart disease in later life remain subjects of medical investigation. […] Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of heart muscles, valves and blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries). […] Damage to the coronary artery walls can result in ballooning (aneurysm) of the coronaries. […] Rarely, blood clots can occur in an aneurysm and can block the coronary arteries, which can result in a heart attack.

• #6 Kawasaki Disease | Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

  https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/k/kawasaki

  Kawasaki disease is an illness that makes the blood vessels in the body swell and become inflamed. The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown. […] Because it causes a high fever and swelling of the lymph nodes, Kawasaki disease is thought to be related to an infection. It may occur in children who have a genetic predisposition to the disease. […] Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. In as many as 25% of children with Kawasaki disease, the heart becomes affected without proper treatment. […] Aneurysms of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart itself, are the most important complication of Kawasaki disease. […] With appropriate and timely treatment, the risk of coronary artery involvement decreases to around 5%.

• #7 Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13457-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a rare condition characterized by fever and inflamed blood vessels in children under 5. […] Researchers are looking into possible Kawasaki disease causes like infections, environmental factors or genetics. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, although more cases happen in late winter and early spring. […] No. Because researchers dont know what causes Kawasaki disease, they dont know how to prevent it. […] The outlook for children with Kawasaki disease depends on how much it affects their hearts. Complications that affect their heart can be severe enough to be fatal within 15 to 45 days of a fever starting. Fortunately, treatment can usually keep heart disease from occurring. […] Coronary artery aneurysms can happen in 25% of people who dont get treatment. In children who receive timely treatment, the rate of coronary artery aneurysms is less than 6%.

• #8

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #9

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #10 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystem vasculitis that primarily affects the coronary arteries of young children. The causes of KD remain a mystery. It is suspected that some sort of infectious agent is involved because KD has epidemicity and seasonality. […] Various theories regarding the etiology have been asserted, such as the infectious vasculitis theory, autoantigen theory, superantigen theory, and RNA virus theory; however, none of them have been able to overcome this epidemicity. Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by microorganisms which trigger KD. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) has remained a mystery since Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki proposed the disease in 1967. A number of epidemiological and clinical observations suggest that KD is caused by an infectious agent, with suggestions ranging from Staphylococci, Streptococci, Mycoplasma, or Chlamydia, to viruses such as adenovirus, parvovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus.

• #11

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Evidence is accumulating that environmental factors may influence or modulate susceptibility to KD. […] While there remains debate about potential causative agents and the role of environmental exposures, there is broad consensus that a complex genetic pattern inherited in a non-Mendelian manner shapes susceptibility to KD. […] Identifying the etiology or etiologies of KD will have a clear effect on diagnosis and treatment and may lead to insights into other unsolved conditions such as sarcoidosis and Behcets disease that are suspected to have an environmental component.

• #12 Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93089-9

  The etiology of Kawasaki Disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries, remains elusive, but could be multifactorial in nature as suggested by the numerous environmental and infectious exposures that have previously been linked to its epidemiology. […] Despite extensive previous research, the etiology of the disease remains unknown. A genetic component is suggested from global epidemiological data, the distribution of the disease amongst ethnic groups, the clustering of cases within families and the increased risk of recurrence. […] The prevailing consensus regarding the etiology of KD is that it occurs in individuals with a genetic and potential early childhood susceptibility, which predisposes to the development of a hyper-reactive immune response when exposed to an unidentified environmental or infectious trigger(s).

• #13 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystem vasculitis that primarily affects the coronary arteries of young children. The causes of KD remain a mystery. It is suspected that some sort of infectious agent is involved because KD has epidemicity and seasonality. […] Various theories regarding the etiology have been asserted, such as the infectious vasculitis theory, autoantigen theory, superantigen theory, and RNA virus theory; however, none of them have been able to overcome this epidemicity. Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by microorganisms which trigger KD. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) has remained a mystery since Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki proposed the disease in 1967. A number of epidemiological and clinical observations suggest that KD is caused by an infectious agent, with suggestions ranging from Staphylococci, Streptococci, Mycoplasma, or Chlamydia, to viruses such as adenovirus, parvovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus.

• #14

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Many microbes can travel on the wind and cause disease upon arrival at distant locations. […] In contrast to the large-scale aerosol hypothesis, support for the possibility of person-to-person transmission of an infectious agent also comes from epidemiologic data from Japan. […] Although the nature of the KD triggers remains under study, several lines of evidence support person-to-person spread of a causative agent by the respiratory route. […] The COVID-19 pandemic had other lessons to teach us about potential triggers for KD. […] KD is commonly regarded as a single disease entity, clinicians have long recognized variability in clinical manifestations and disease outcome among their patients with KD. […] However, more detailed microbiologic and immunologic studies failed to support the existence of a superantigen as a driver of the acute inflammatory state in KD.

• #15 Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13457-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a rare condition characterized by fever and inflamed blood vessels in children under 5. […] Researchers are looking into possible Kawasaki disease causes like infections, environmental factors or genetics. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, although more cases happen in late winter and early spring. […] No. Because researchers dont know what causes Kawasaki disease, they dont know how to prevent it. […] The outlook for children with Kawasaki disease depends on how much it affects their hearts. Complications that affect their heart can be severe enough to be fatal within 15 to 45 days of a fever starting. Fortunately, treatment can usually keep heart disease from occurring. […] Coronary artery aneurysms can happen in 25% of people who dont get treatment. In children who receive timely treatment, the rate of coronary artery aneurysms is less than 6%.

• #16 Kawasaki Disease – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537163/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited medium vessel vasculitis that has a predilection for the coronary arteries. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is still not known and may be related to a wind-borne or water-borne pathogen. However, in recent years there have been studies that have shown certain genetic markers (such as HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw22j2 serotypes, chemokine receptor gene-cluster CCR2-CCR5 haplotypes and FCGR3A polymorphism of the IgG receptor IIIa) show a predisposition to the disease. […] There is no evidence to suggest that the disease passes from person to person. Multiple organisms of bacterial and viral origin have are under suspicion as a cause, but to date, no single agent has been identified as the leading cause. […] However, there has been evidence showing over 40% of children diagnosed with KD have tested positive for viral respiratory pathogens.

• #17 Kawasaki Disease: Causes, Rash, Complications, Covid, Medication

  https://www.medicinenet.com/kawasaki_disease/article.htm

  Kawasaki disease is an uncommon illness in children that causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, redness or swelling of the hands or feet, and conjunctivitis. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is not known. Microorganisms and toxins like that of scarlet fever have been suspected, but none has been identified to date. […] It is common for Kawasaki disease to occur after a preceding infection, such as tonsillitis, ear infection, pneumonia, urine infection, or gastrointestinal infection. […] Genetic factors (genetic variants in some patients) and the immune system (for example, autoimmune disease) seem to play roles in the disease, which is characterized by immune activation. […] Kawasaki disease that is not responding to the traditional cornerstones of treatment, aspirin and gamma globulin infusions, can be deadly. […] Because the cause of Kawasaki disease has not been determined, there are no measures known that can prevent the disease.

• #18 Kawasaki Disease Symptoms, Cause, Criteria, Treatment & Complications

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/kawasaki_disease/article_em.htm

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pediatric inflammatory systemic illness, with previously healthy children ranging from 6 months to 5 years of age most likely to be diagnosed. […] The exact cause of Kawasaki disease remains a mystery. There exist a number of similarities between infectious viral agents (Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, herpesviruses, leptospirosis, etc.). Several bacteria (staph and strep) release toxins into the bloodstream, resulting in similar symptoms and physical findings as KD. […] Early in 2020, doctors noted that another at-risk population for a condition mimicking Kawasaki disease are children recovering from COVID-19 infection. […] Whether COVID-19 infection is merely mimicking KD or is a causative agent remains to be determined.

• #19 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystem vasculitis that primarily affects the coronary arteries of young children. The causes of KD remain a mystery. It is suspected that some sort of infectious agent is involved because KD has epidemicity and seasonality. […] Various theories regarding the etiology have been asserted, such as the infectious vasculitis theory, autoantigen theory, superantigen theory, and RNA virus theory; however, none of them have been able to overcome this epidemicity. Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by microorganisms which trigger KD. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) has remained a mystery since Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki proposed the disease in 1967. A number of epidemiological and clinical observations suggest that KD is caused by an infectious agent, with suggestions ranging from Staphylococci, Streptococci, Mycoplasma, or Chlamydia, to viruses such as adenovirus, parvovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus.

• #20 Kawasaki Disease | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/0601/p3093.html

  Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease among children in the United States and other developed countries. […] A generalized vasculitis of unknown etiology, Kawasaki disease can cause coronary artery abnormalities, including coronary aneurysms. […] The cause of the disease remains unknown, but epidemiologic investigations and the clinical presentation suggest a microbial agent. […] Epidemiologic features and clinical presentation suggest an infectious etiology for Kawasaki disease. To date, however, an etiologic agent has not been documented. […] A variety of infectious agents have been proposed, including rickettsiae, viruses (primarily Epstein-Barr virus and retroviruses), Streptococcus viridans, staphylococci, Propionibacterium species and parvovirus. […] One study implicated superantigens (i.e., toxins produced by certain staphylococci and streptococci) and proposed a variant of the toxic shock syndromeassociated toxin-1 produced by Staphylococcus aureus as a possible cause of Kawasaki disease. […] Even though the initiating event has not yet been identified, the immune system is known to be involved during the acute stage of Kawasaki disease. […] It is postulated that the various secreted cytokines target vascular endothelial cells, producing cell-surface neoantigens.

• #21 Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93089-9

  The association between lower household income and increasing KD risk found in this study could also be related to activation of the inflammasome. […] Beyond susceptibility, case distribution and modulation, environmental associations might point to potential targets for the trigger(s). […] In this study, we identified groups of healthcare encounters for infections that were associated with increased incidence of KD. […] The association between higher atmospheric concentration of spores from Myxomycetes (slime molds), Deuteromycetes (fungi imperfecti) and algae concentrations, lower atmospheric concentration of Dothideomycetes spores and higher combined smog (NO2+SO2) concentration in the atmosphere.

• #22 Understanding Kawasaki Disease

  https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/understanding-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a febrile systemic vasculitis that primarily affects the coronary arteries. […] A number of theories, including those based on autoimmunity and genetics, have been proposed to explain the underlying cause of the condition, but the etiology remains debatable. […] Although the clinical symptoms of Kawasaki disease are well characterized, the etiology has not yet been established. […] A number of theories regarding the underlying cause of Kawasaki disease have been proposed, including autoimmunity and genetic factors. […] Since the prevalence of Kawasaki disease is highest in children aged 6 months to 5 years when most children stop breastfeeding and maternal immune function decreases it is possible that an underlying infectious disease is responsible. […] Infectious agents including Propionibacterium acnes, Rickettsia, Epstein-Barr virus, and retroviruses may be involved, but this has yet to be confirmed.

• #23 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250327/Study-points-to-single-respiratory-virus-as-cause-of-Kawasaki-disease.aspx

  Research from Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago strongly suggests that Kawasaki disease is caused by a single respiratory virus that is yet to be identified. […] Findings contradict the theory that many different pathogens or toxins could cause this disease that can lead to serious cardiac complications in young children. […] „Our compelling data are a huge step forward and provide a clear direction for the field to identify and sequence the virus that causes Kawasaki disease in susceptible children.” […] We saw the same inclusion bodies targeted in every tissue sample spanning five decades and two continents, which shows that we are dealing with one predominant virus causing Kawasaki disease. […] It appears to be a respiratory virus since the inclusion bodies were in the medium size airways.

• #24 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Various candidates have been implicated, including upper respiratory tract infection by some novel RNA virus. […] Despite intensive search, no single pathogen has been identified. […] There has been debate as to whether the infectious agent might be a superantigen (i.e. one commonly associated with excessive immune system activation). […] Current consensus favors an excessive immunologic response to a conventional antigen which usually provides future protection. […] Research points to an unidentified ubiquitous virus, possibly one that enters through the respiratory tract. […] Seasonal trends in the appearance of new cases of Kawasaki disease have been linked to tropospheric wind patterns, which suggests wind-borne transport of something capable of triggering an immunologic cascade when inhaled by genetically susceptible children.

• #25

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Many microbes can travel on the wind and cause disease upon arrival at distant locations. […] In contrast to the large-scale aerosol hypothesis, support for the possibility of person-to-person transmission of an infectious agent also comes from epidemiologic data from Japan. […] Although the nature of the KD triggers remains under study, several lines of evidence support person-to-person spread of a causative agent by the respiratory route. […] The COVID-19 pandemic had other lessons to teach us about potential triggers for KD. […] KD is commonly regarded as a single disease entity, clinicians have long recognized variability in clinical manifestations and disease outcome among their patients with KD. […] However, more detailed microbiologic and immunologic studies failed to support the existence of a superantigen as a driver of the acute inflammatory state in KD.

• #26

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Many microbes can travel on the wind and cause disease upon arrival at distant locations. […] In contrast to the large-scale aerosol hypothesis, support for the possibility of person-to-person transmission of an infectious agent also comes from epidemiologic data from Japan. […] Although the nature of the KD triggers remains under study, several lines of evidence support person-to-person spread of a causative agent by the respiratory route. […] The COVID-19 pandemic had other lessons to teach us about potential triggers for KD. […] KD is commonly regarded as a single disease entity, clinicians have long recognized variability in clinical manifestations and disease outcome among their patients with KD. […] However, more detailed microbiologic and immunologic studies failed to support the existence of a superantigen as a driver of the acute inflammatory state in KD.

• #27 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Various candidates have been implicated, including upper respiratory tract infection by some novel RNA virus. […] Despite intensive search, no single pathogen has been identified. […] There has been debate as to whether the infectious agent might be a superantigen (i.e. one commonly associated with excessive immune system activation). […] Current consensus favors an excessive immunologic response to a conventional antigen which usually provides future protection. […] Research points to an unidentified ubiquitous virus, possibly one that enters through the respiratory tract. […] Seasonal trends in the appearance of new cases of Kawasaki disease have been linked to tropospheric wind patterns, which suggests wind-borne transport of something capable of triggering an immunologic cascade when inhaled by genetically susceptible children.

• #28 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by certain microorganisms which trigger KD. […] A common point of view among infectious theories at an early stage is that a pathogen is recognized as an antigen-presenting cell (APC), with factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by macrophage and T cells, etc. activated by macrophages causing vasculitis, leading to the formation of the pathology. […] According to previous reports on Staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, and Yersinia, the generation of superantigens is involved in the pathology of KD in each report. […] Rowley et al. have reported that the postmortem examination of KD patients revealed the invasion of many mononucleoses, CD8 positive T-cells, and IgA producing plasma cells, proposing a hypothesis that viruses invading mainly from the respiratory apparatus stimulate CD8 positive T-cells and B cells in the organ lymph nodes and differentiate them into IgA producing plasma cells, with these cell groups giving rise to vasculitis.

• #29 Kawasaki disease: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164533

  Kawasaki disease is a rare syndrome of unknown origin that affects children. […] Experts do not know what causes Kawasaki disease. […] One possibility is that it may be an abnormal response to a common virus that most people do not react to. […] Another is that it is an autoimmune disorder, where the body’s immune system attacks its own good tissue as if it were a pathogen, or organism that causes disease.

• #30 What causes Kawasaki disease?

  https://www.mymed.com/diseases-conditions/kawasaki-disease/what-causes-kawasaki-disease

  There are findings that suggest that children who are diagnosed with Kawasaki disease may have some kind of genetic predisposition. […] Kawasaki disease is commonly seen in children living in Northeast Asia, and in Korea and Japan in particular. This finding strongly suggests that genes have a role to play. […] One theory indicates that the disease itself may be an autoimmune condition. […] Another theory notes that the cause of Kawasaki disease may be the result of a reaction to specific environmental factors such as toxins, chemicals or pollutants or medications.

• #31 What Is Kawasaki Disease | Children’s Hospital Colorado

  https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/conditions/kawasaki-disease/

  Kawasaki disease was first described in the 1960s by a pediatrician in Japan named Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki. […] Fifty years later, with the cause of Kawasaki still unknown, doctors and researchers remain searching for answers to the very puzzling disease. […] Although the cause of the disease is not known, doctors and researchers (including many here at Children’s Hospital Colorado) think it may be an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal reaction of a child’s own immune system. […] If properly treated, full recovery can be expected in most cases, but the possibilities of blood vessel and heart disease in later life remain subjects of medical investigation. […] Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of heart muscles, valves and blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries). […] Damage to the coronary artery walls can result in ballooning (aneurysm) of the coronaries. […] Rarely, blood clots can occur in an aneurysm and can block the coronary arteries, which can result in a heart attack.

• #32 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Various candidates have been implicated, including upper respiratory tract infection by some novel RNA virus. […] Despite intensive search, no single pathogen has been identified. […] There has been debate as to whether the infectious agent might be a superantigen (i.e. one commonly associated with excessive immune system activation). […] Current consensus favors an excessive immunologic response to a conventional antigen which usually provides future protection. […] Research points to an unidentified ubiquitous virus, possibly one that enters through the respiratory tract. […] Seasonal trends in the appearance of new cases of Kawasaki disease have been linked to tropospheric wind patterns, which suggests wind-borne transport of something capable of triggering an immunologic cascade when inhaled by genetically susceptible children.

• #33 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by certain microorganisms which trigger KD. […] A common point of view among infectious theories at an early stage is that a pathogen is recognized as an antigen-presenting cell (APC), with factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by macrophage and T cells, etc. activated by macrophages causing vasculitis, leading to the formation of the pathology. […] According to previous reports on Staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, and Yersinia, the generation of superantigens is involved in the pathology of KD in each report. […] Rowley et al. have reported that the postmortem examination of KD patients revealed the invasion of many mononucleoses, CD8 positive T-cells, and IgA producing plasma cells, proposing a hypothesis that viruses invading mainly from the respiratory apparatus stimulate CD8 positive T-cells and B cells in the organ lymph nodes and differentiate them into IgA producing plasma cells, with these cell groups giving rise to vasculitis.

• #34 Kawasaki Disease in Children | Boston Children’s Hospital

  https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is an acute childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in many areas of the body. […] Despite decades of research, the causes of Kawasaki disease are still unknown. We suspect there could be multiple reasons that people develop this condition. […] Because no bacteria or virus has been proven to cause Kawasaki disease, some experts believe that Kawasaki disease is an immune reaction that children may have to a variety of infectious agents. Genetic susceptibility may play a role. […] Kawasaki disease occurs more often in Japan than in any other country. Children of Asian or Asian-American heritage have a higher risk of Kawasaki disease regardless of where they live — although Kawasaki disease can occur in any racial or ethnic group.

• #35 Kawasaki Disease – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/miscellaneous-disorders-in-infants-and-children/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a vasculitis of medium-sized arteries, most significantly the coronary arteries, which are involved in about 20% of untreated patients. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease is unknown, but the epidemiology and clinical presentation suggest an infection or, more likely, an abnormal immunologic response to an infection in genetically predisposed children. Autoimmune disease is also a possibility. […] Children of Japanese descent have a particularly high incidence, but Kawasaki disease occurs worldwide. […] Cases occur year-round but most often in spring or winter. […] With adequate therapy, mortality in the United States is 0.17%. […] Kawasaki disease is a childhood systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology; it is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.

• #36 Kawasaki Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

  https://www.healthline.com/health/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease (KD), or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an illness that causes inflammation in arteries, veins, and capillaries. […] The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is still unknown. Researchers speculate that a mixture of genetics and environmental factors can cause KD. This may be due to the fact that KD occurs during specific seasons and tends to affect children of Asian descent. […] Kawasaki disease is most common in children, particularly those of Asian descent. About 75 percent of KD cases are children under the age of 5, according to the KDF. Researchers dont believe that you can inherit the disease, but the risk factors tend to increase within families. Siblings of someone who has KD are 10 times more likely to have the disease. […] Kawasaki disease is thought to be caused by genetic factors and/or an abnormal immune response to a viral infection, but those theories have yet to be proven.

• #37 What Is Kawasaki Disease? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

  https://www.everydayhealth.com/kawasaki-disease/guide/

  Moreover, certain gene variants are associated with an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease. […] Children of parents who have had Kawasaki disease are twice as likely to develop the condition compared with the general population, and children whose siblings have had Kawasaki disease are 10 times more likely to develop the disorder.

• #38 What Is Kawasaki Disease? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

  https://www.everydayhealth.com/kawasaki-disease/guide/

  Moreover, certain gene variants are associated with an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease. […] Children of parents who have had Kawasaki disease are twice as likely to develop the condition compared with the general population, and children whose siblings have had Kawasaki disease are 10 times more likely to develop the disorder.

• #39 Kawasaki Disease: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More

  https://www.health.com/kawasaki-disease-overview-7497913

  Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. […] While the exact cause is unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of Kawasaki disease. […] With Kawasaki disease, medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed (known as vasculitis). Researchers aren’t sure why this occurs, but it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to certain infections (e.g., viral, bacterial). However, no specific virus or bacteria has been identified as the primary cause, and research suggests that genetic factors may increase the disease risk in some children. […] Kawasaki disease is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. […] Certain factors are linked to an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease: About 80% of Kawasaki disease cases occur in infants and children under age 5. […] Gene variants in the ITPKC gene, which plays a role in regulating immune system responses, have been linked to an increased risk of Kawasaki disease. […] Children whose parents have had Kawasaki disease have double the risk of developing the condition than those whose parents were unaffected.

• #40 Kawasaki Disease – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537163/

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited medium vessel vasculitis that has a predilection for the coronary arteries. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is still not known and may be related to a wind-borne or water-borne pathogen. However, in recent years there have been studies that have shown certain genetic markers (such as HLA-B51 and HLA-Bw22j2 serotypes, chemokine receptor gene-cluster CCR2-CCR5 haplotypes and FCGR3A polymorphism of the IgG receptor IIIa) show a predisposition to the disease. […] There is no evidence to suggest that the disease passes from person to person. Multiple organisms of bacterial and viral origin have are under suspicion as a cause, but to date, no single agent has been identified as the leading cause. […] However, there has been evidence showing over 40% of children diagnosed with KD have tested positive for viral respiratory pathogens.

• #41 Causes of Kawasaki Disease | www.kawasakidiseaseindia.org

  http://www.kawasakidiseaseindia.org/html/Causes-KD.html

  Causes of Kawasaki Disease Like all autoimmune diseases, the cause of Kawasaki disease is presumably the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, possibly including an infection. The specific cause is unknown, but current theories center primarily on immunological causes for the disease. Evidence increasingly points to an infectious etiology but debate continues on whether the cause is a conventional antigenic substance or a superantigen. […] An association has been identified with a SNP in the ITPKC gene, which codes an enzyme that negatively regulates T-cell activation. An additional factor that suggests genetic susceptibility is the fact that regardless of where they are living, Japanese children are more likely than other children to contract the disease. The HLA-B51 serotype has been found to be associated with endemic instances of the disease.

• #42 Kawasaki Disease: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More

  https://www.health.com/kawasaki-disease-overview-7497913

  Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. […] While the exact cause is unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of Kawasaki disease. […] With Kawasaki disease, medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed (known as vasculitis). Researchers aren’t sure why this occurs, but it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to certain infections (e.g., viral, bacterial). However, no specific virus or bacteria has been identified as the primary cause, and research suggests that genetic factors may increase the disease risk in some children. […] Kawasaki disease is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. […] Certain factors are linked to an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease: About 80% of Kawasaki disease cases occur in infants and children under age 5. […] Gene variants in the ITPKC gene, which plays a role in regulating immune system responses, have been linked to an increased risk of Kawasaki disease. […] Children whose parents have had Kawasaki disease have double the risk of developing the condition than those whose parents were unaffected.

• #43 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Genetic susceptibility is suggested by increased incidence among children of Japanese descent around the world, and also among close and extended family members of affected people. […] Genetic factors are also thought to influence development of coronary artery aneurysms and response to treatment.

• #44 Kawasaki Disease: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/965367-overview

  The etiology of this disorder remains unknown. […] The etiology of KD remains unknown. There has been a strong suspicion that the etiology of KD is infectious; however, no single infectious agent has been implicated. However, autoimmune reactions and genetic predisposition have been suggested as possible etiologic factors. […] Genetic factors may influence the development of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease.

• #45

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Evidence is accumulating that environmental factors may influence or modulate susceptibility to KD. […] While there remains debate about potential causative agents and the role of environmental exposures, there is broad consensus that a complex genetic pattern inherited in a non-Mendelian manner shapes susceptibility to KD. […] Identifying the etiology or etiologies of KD will have a clear effect on diagnosis and treatment and may lead to insights into other unsolved conditions such as sarcoidosis and Behcets disease that are suspected to have an environmental component.

• #46 Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93089-9

  In this study, we identified groups of healthcare encounters for infections that were associated with increased incidence of KD. […] The association between viral intestinal infections and increased incidence of KD possibly reflect the facilitation of the entry of the trigger into the blood stream and as such would represent a modulating factor as opposed to a potential trigger. […] This study is significant both from the mathematical approach used to combine numerous dimensions of risk measured on different scales into a single model and by the high degree with which it could recapitulate the spatiotemporal distribution of KD. […] Without a known etiological agent, epidemiological patterns and associations can be used to extrapolate some aspects of the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease.

• #47 What causes Kawasaki disease?

  https://www.mymed.com/diseases-conditions/kawasaki-disease/what-causes-kawasaki-disease

  There are findings that suggest that children who are diagnosed with Kawasaki disease may have some kind of genetic predisposition. […] Kawasaki disease is commonly seen in children living in Northeast Asia, and in Korea and Japan in particular. This finding strongly suggests that genes have a role to play. […] One theory indicates that the disease itself may be an autoimmune condition. […] Another theory notes that the cause of Kawasaki disease may be the result of a reaction to specific environmental factors such as toxins, chemicals or pollutants or medications.

• #48 Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93089-9

  The association between lower household income and increasing KD risk found in this study could also be related to activation of the inflammasome. […] Beyond susceptibility, case distribution and modulation, environmental associations might point to potential targets for the trigger(s). […] In this study, we identified groups of healthcare encounters for infections that were associated with increased incidence of KD. […] The association between higher atmospheric concentration of spores from Myxomycetes (slime molds), Deuteromycetes (fungi imperfecti) and algae concentrations, lower atmospheric concentration of Dothideomycetes spores and higher combined smog (NO2+SO2) concentration in the atmosphere.

• #49 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  The authors have hypothesized the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota could be involved in KD because of the following reasons: (1) GI tract is constantly exposed to a milieu of microorganisms, various antigens, and other agents, (2) It is the largest lymphoid tissue in the body, and (3) It has not been fully investigated due to some technical problems. […] Currently, among the numerous etiologies of KD, the most credible theory is that bacterial infection triggers KD. However, we should also consider the possibility of fungi and new types of viruses, which are pathogens that have not yet been paid attention to.

• #50 Research trends on causes of Kawasaki disease in the COVID-19 era: focus on viral infections

  https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?number=20125555536

  Although KD is considered highly associated with infectious diseases in clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological aspects, its pathology is among the most notable research topics. […] Epidemiologically, it is common in young children aged 5 years who are vulnerable to infections, and considering its occurrence in siblings of affected children, the high prevalence rate in countries in Northeast Asia, and the marked seasonal variations, it is believed to be an infectious disease characterized by epidemics. […] Recently, studies using big data and time series analysis of disease statistics have reported that various viral infection outbreaks precede KD. […] Although the exact cause of KD remains unknown, studies are underway. […] Nagata recently categorized 4 main theories about KD etiology: (1) direct infectious vasculitis, (2) autoantigen, (3) superantigen, and (4) RNA virus.

• #51 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250327/Study-points-to-single-respiratory-virus-as-cause-of-Kawasaki-disease.aspx

  Research from Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago strongly suggests that Kawasaki disease is caused by a single respiratory virus that is yet to be identified. […] Findings contradict the theory that many different pathogens or toxins could cause this disease that can lead to serious cardiac complications in young children. […] „Our compelling data are a huge step forward and provide a clear direction for the field to identify and sequence the virus that causes Kawasaki disease in susceptible children.” […] We saw the same inclusion bodies targeted in every tissue sample spanning five decades and two continents, which shows that we are dealing with one predominant virus causing Kawasaki disease. […] It appears to be a respiratory virus since the inclusion bodies were in the medium size airways.

• #52 Research trends on causes of Kawasaki disease in the COVID-19 era: focus on viral infections

  https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?number=20125555536

  However, none of these studies have been able to justify this epidemic. […] Studies of most KD-associated pathogens are based on the theory that these pathogens act as antigens or even superantigens in genetically sensitive individuals that result in inappropriate immune responses rather than directly infecting individuals. […] The association between viruses and KD has been steadily attracting attention. […] Epidemiologically, although some differences exist among countries, Uehara and Belay reported that KD occurs in clusters and community-wide outbreaks with distinct seasonality, indicating that KD can be caused by infectious agents such as viruses or agents that remain elusive. […] Lim et al. reported that several viruses, including human respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, norovirus, and human rhinovirus, precede KD by 12 months in the same cycle as the trend of KD diagnosis in a study of big data in Korea, supporting the possibility that the virus is the major cause of KD.

• #53 What Is Kawasaki Disease | Children’s Hospital Colorado

  https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/conditions/kawasaki-disease/

  Kawasaki disease was first described in the 1960s by a pediatrician in Japan named Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki. […] Fifty years later, with the cause of Kawasaki still unknown, doctors and researchers remain searching for answers to the very puzzling disease. […] Although the cause of the disease is not known, doctors and researchers (including many here at Children’s Hospital Colorado) think it may be an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal reaction of a child’s own immune system. […] If properly treated, full recovery can be expected in most cases, but the possibilities of blood vessel and heart disease in later life remain subjects of medical investigation. […] Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of heart muscles, valves and blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries). […] Damage to the coronary artery walls can result in ballooning (aneurysm) of the coronaries. […] Rarely, blood clots can occur in an aneurysm and can block the coronary arteries, which can result in a heart attack.

• #54 Kawasaki disease: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164533

  Kawasaki disease is a rare syndrome of unknown origin that affects children. […] Experts do not know what causes Kawasaki disease. […] One possibility is that it may be an abnormal response to a common virus that most people do not react to. […] Another is that it is an autoimmune disorder, where the body’s immune system attacks its own good tissue as if it were a pathogen, or organism that causes disease.

• #55 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by certain microorganisms which trigger KD. […] A common point of view among infectious theories at an early stage is that a pathogen is recognized as an antigen-presenting cell (APC), with factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by macrophage and T cells, etc. activated by macrophages causing vasculitis, leading to the formation of the pathology. […] According to previous reports on Staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, and Yersinia, the generation of superantigens is involved in the pathology of KD in each report. […] Rowley et al. have reported that the postmortem examination of KD patients revealed the invasion of many mononucleoses, CD8 positive T-cells, and IgA producing plasma cells, proposing a hypothesis that viruses invading mainly from the respiratory apparatus stimulate CD8 positive T-cells and B cells in the organ lymph nodes and differentiate them into IgA producing plasma cells, with these cell groups giving rise to vasculitis.

• #56 Understanding Kawasaki Disease

  https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/understanding-kawasaki-disease

  Proinflammatory cytokines also are believed to play a role in disease pathogenesis. […] This theory suggests that Kawasaki disease may be caused by an immune-mediated response in certain individuals who are genetically or immunologically susceptible to a powerful immunostimulant product, the superantigen of an infectious agent. […] Although Kawasaki disease was identified more than 50 years ago, its etiology remains to be clarified.

• #57 Research trends on causes of Kawasaki disease in the COVID-19 era: focus on viral infections

  https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?number=20125555536

  Despite studies on the etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) ongoing for half a century since its discovery, its cause has not yet been clearly identified. […] Although the clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological characteristics of KD are presumed to be closely related to infectious diseases, studies of various pathogens to identify its etiology have been actively conducted. […] In particular, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there were many reports in Europe of a sharp increase in cases of Kawasaki-like disease (KLD), while conflicting reports that the prevalence of KD decreased due to thorough social distancing or wearing mask in Asian countries drew more attention regarding the association between KD and viral infection. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is unclear, but its clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological characteristics are strongly associated with infectious diseases.

• #58 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Various candidates have been implicated, including upper respiratory tract infection by some novel RNA virus. […] Despite intensive search, no single pathogen has been identified. […] There has been debate as to whether the infectious agent might be a superantigen (i.e. one commonly associated with excessive immune system activation). […] Current consensus favors an excessive immunologic response to a conventional antigen which usually provides future protection. […] Research points to an unidentified ubiquitous virus, possibly one that enters through the respiratory tract. […] Seasonal trends in the appearance of new cases of Kawasaki disease have been linked to tropospheric wind patterns, which suggests wind-borne transport of something capable of triggering an immunologic cascade when inhaled by genetically susceptible children.

• #59 Associations between the spatiotemporal distribution of Kawasaki disease and environmental factors: evidence supporting a multifactorial etiologic model | Scientific Reports

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93089-9

  The etiology of Kawasaki Disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries, remains elusive, but could be multifactorial in nature as suggested by the numerous environmental and infectious exposures that have previously been linked to its epidemiology. […] Despite extensive previous research, the etiology of the disease remains unknown. A genetic component is suggested from global epidemiological data, the distribution of the disease amongst ethnic groups, the clustering of cases within families and the increased risk of recurrence. […] The prevailing consensus regarding the etiology of KD is that it occurs in individuals with a genetic and potential early childhood susceptibility, which predisposes to the development of a hyper-reactive immune response when exposed to an unidentified environmental or infectious trigger(s).

• #60 Kawasaki Disease: Causes, Signs and Treatment |Banner Health

  https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/pediatrics/specialty-care/cardiology/heart-conditions/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a serious illness that mainly affects children under 5 years old. […] The exact cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown. It is not contagious, so it cant spread from person to person. […] Researchers believe a combination of genetic, environmental or infectious factors may cause it: […] If a family member has Kawasaki disease, it may increase the risk for your child. […] Some studies suggest that exposure to certain chemicals or pollutants could increase the chances. […] Infections may trigger Kawasaki disease in some children. Experts think some viral or bacterial infections could start the immune response leading to the disease. […] While the cause is not exactly known, some risk factors may increase the chances of getting it. These include: […] However, you can still get Kawasaki disease even if you dont have any of these risk factors.

• #61 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by certain microorganisms which trigger KD. […] A common point of view among infectious theories at an early stage is that a pathogen is recognized as an antigen-presenting cell (APC), with factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by macrophage and T cells, etc. activated by macrophages causing vasculitis, leading to the formation of the pathology. […] According to previous reports on Staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, and Yersinia, the generation of superantigens is involved in the pathology of KD in each report. […] Rowley et al. have reported that the postmortem examination of KD patients revealed the invasion of many mononucleoses, CD8 positive T-cells, and IgA producing plasma cells, proposing a hypothesis that viruses invading mainly from the respiratory apparatus stimulate CD8 positive T-cells and B cells in the organ lymph nodes and differentiate them into IgA producing plasma cells, with these cell groups giving rise to vasculitis.

• #62 Kawasaki Disease – Children’s Health Issues – MSD Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/rheumatologic-disorders-in-children/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body in children who are under 5 years old. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown but may be triggered by an infection. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, but evidence suggests an infection triggers an abnormal immune system response in children who have an increased chance of developing the illness because of the genes they have. […] Without treatment, Kawasaki disease is fatal in some children. Fatalities can be sudden and unpredictable.

• #63

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Evidence is accumulating that environmental factors may influence or modulate susceptibility to KD. […] While there remains debate about potential causative agents and the role of environmental exposures, there is broad consensus that a complex genetic pattern inherited in a non-Mendelian manner shapes susceptibility to KD. […] Identifying the etiology or etiologies of KD will have a clear effect on diagnosis and treatment and may lead to insights into other unsolved conditions such as sarcoidosis and Behcets disease that are suspected to have an environmental component.

• #64 Kawasaki Disease: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More

  https://www.health.com/kawasaki-disease-overview-7497913

  Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. […] While the exact cause is unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of Kawasaki disease. […] With Kawasaki disease, medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed (known as vasculitis). Researchers aren’t sure why this occurs, but it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to certain infections (e.g., viral, bacterial). However, no specific virus or bacteria has been identified as the primary cause, and research suggests that genetic factors may increase the disease risk in some children. […] Kawasaki disease is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. […] Certain factors are linked to an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease: About 80% of Kawasaki disease cases occur in infants and children under age 5. […] Gene variants in the ITPKC gene, which plays a role in regulating immune system responses, have been linked to an increased risk of Kawasaki disease. […] Children whose parents have had Kawasaki disease have double the risk of developing the condition than those whose parents were unaffected.

• #65 Kawasaki Disease in Children | Boston Children’s Hospital

  https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is an acute childhood illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in many areas of the body. […] Despite decades of research, the causes of Kawasaki disease are still unknown. We suspect there could be multiple reasons that people develop this condition. […] Because no bacteria or virus has been proven to cause Kawasaki disease, some experts believe that Kawasaki disease is an immune reaction that children may have to a variety of infectious agents. Genetic susceptibility may play a role. […] Kawasaki disease occurs more often in Japan than in any other country. Children of Asian or Asian-American heritage have a higher risk of Kawasaki disease regardless of where they live — although Kawasaki disease can occur in any racial or ethnic group.

• #66 Kawasaki disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment | Worldwide Pediatrics Group

  https://www.toplinemd.com/worldwide-pediatrics/kawasaki-disease-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

  Unfortunately, the exact causes behind the disease are unclear to medical experts, but it’s clear that more cases tend to develop during late winter and early spring. […] Some experts point out that ethnicity and sex may also play a role in the development of the disease. More specifically, boys are slightly more likely to develop Kawasaki disease than girls. Also, medical literature and research suggest that children of Pacific Island and Asian descent (Korean and Japanese) may be at a higher risk of developing the fever.

• #67 Kawasaki Disease: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More

  https://www.health.com/kawasaki-disease-overview-7497913

  Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. […] While the exact cause is unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of Kawasaki disease. […] With Kawasaki disease, medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed (known as vasculitis). Researchers aren’t sure why this occurs, but it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to certain infections (e.g., viral, bacterial). However, no specific virus or bacteria has been identified as the primary cause, and research suggests that genetic factors may increase the disease risk in some children. […] Kawasaki disease is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. […] Certain factors are linked to an increased risk of developing Kawasaki disease: About 80% of Kawasaki disease cases occur in infants and children under age 5. […] Gene variants in the ITPKC gene, which plays a role in regulating immune system responses, have been linked to an increased risk of Kawasaki disease. […] Children whose parents have had Kawasaki disease have double the risk of developing the condition than those whose parents were unaffected.

• #68 Kawasaki Disease | Pediatrics

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/conditions/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a childhood illness that causes sudden, severe swelling (inflammation) of the blood vessels. […] Physicians aren’t sure what causes Kawasaki disease. It may be related to viral infections or genetic changes (mutations). Kawasaki disease is not contagious and does not seem to run in families. […] The following factors make certain people more at risk for Kawasaki disease: About 80% of children develop Kawasaki disease before age 5. Kawasaki disease more commonly affects boys than girls. Kawasaki disease is more common in children of Asian descent.

• #69 Pediatric Kawasaki disease (KD) – Children’s Health Cardiology

  https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome) is a form of acquired heart disease, meaning it develops after birth. […] It is unknown exactly what causes Kawasaki disease. Some researchers believe that the condition is an immune reaction that a child may have to an infection. It is also thought that there may be a genetic tendency to having this reaction. […] Any child can develop Kawasaki disease; however, it occurs more often in children who are Asian or Asian-American. Boys are also 1.5 times more likely to develop KD than girls.

• #70 Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13457-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a rare condition characterized by fever and inflamed blood vessels in children under 5. […] Researchers are looking into possible Kawasaki disease causes like infections, environmental factors or genetics. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, although more cases happen in late winter and early spring. […] No. Because researchers dont know what causes Kawasaki disease, they dont know how to prevent it. […] The outlook for children with Kawasaki disease depends on how much it affects their hearts. Complications that affect their heart can be severe enough to be fatal within 15 to 45 days of a fever starting. Fortunately, treatment can usually keep heart disease from occurring. […] Coronary artery aneurysms can happen in 25% of people who dont get treatment. In children who receive timely treatment, the rate of coronary artery aneurysms is less than 6%.

• #71 Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factor & Diagnosis | Max Hospital

  https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/what-is-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki Disease, although rare, is a potentially serious paediatric illness that demands prompt attention and intervention. […] Though the exact cause of Kawasaki Disease remains unknown, researchers believe that it might be triggered by an abnormal immune system response to an infection or another environmental factor in genetically predisposed individuals. […] Some research suggests that the Disease might be triggered by an immune response to a viral or bacterial infection. […] Kawasaki Disease primarily affects children, with a peak incidence in those under the age of five. […] Cases of Kawasaki Disease often peak in the winter and early spring, suggesting a possible seasonal element to its occurrence. […] If left untreated or if not managed promptly, Kawasaki Disease can lead to various complications, particularly affecting the heart and blood vessels. […] If left untreated or not managed promptly, Kawasaki Disease can lead to potential long-term complications affecting the heart, such as coronary artery aneurysms or other heart issues.

• #72 Research trends on causes of Kawasaki disease in the COVID-19 era: focus on viral infections

  https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?number=20125555536

  Despite studies on the etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) ongoing for half a century since its discovery, its cause has not yet been clearly identified. […] Although the clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological characteristics of KD are presumed to be closely related to infectious diseases, studies of various pathogens to identify its etiology have been actively conducted. […] In particular, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there were many reports in Europe of a sharp increase in cases of Kawasaki-like disease (KLD), while conflicting reports that the prevalence of KD decreased due to thorough social distancing or wearing mask in Asian countries drew more attention regarding the association between KD and viral infection. […] The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is unclear, but its clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological characteristics are strongly associated with infectious diseases.

• #73

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #74 About Kawasaki Disease | Kawasaki Disease | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/kawasaki/about/index.html

  Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as Kawasaki syndrome, is a disease that can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, mostly in children younger than 5 years old. […] The cause of KD is not known. […] KD can cause serious complications, including swelling of parts of the heart and other blood vessels. […] Patients whose illness does not meet the above KD case definition but have fever and coronary artery abnormalities are classified as having atypical or incomplete KD. […] Treatment for KD is available, and it must be given at the hospital. […] Most children recover with proper treatment.

• #75 Diagnosing and Managing Kawasaki Diseaselogo-32logo-40logo-60NEJM Journal WatchnejmJW_1L_RGB-b

  https://www.jwatch.org/na58286/2025/03/18/diagnosing-and-managing-kawasaki-disease

  Kawasaki disease is a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and high fever, usually in young children. […] Risk for myocardial infarction (MI) is highest soon after Kawasaki disease onset. […] Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been added to the differential diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. […] Intensification of initial therapy (e.g., with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants) should be considered for those at high risk for developing coronary artery aneurysms (i.e., age, <6 years or left anterior descending Z-score ≥2.5). [...] A stronger recommendation is made for combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in patients with large coronary artery aneurysms, including use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). [...] Pediatricians should identify children with high-risk Kawasaki disease features, as earlier combination therapy is warranted in those cases.

• #76

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11908-016-0538-5

  This phase I/IIa trial of anakinra in children with Kawasaki disease and coronary artery abnormalities aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of 26 week course of daily anakinra injection to prevent or attenuate coronary artery damage associated with Kawasaki disease. […] This editorial review of the role of statins in non-atherosclerotic, acute and chronic vasculitides due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and endothelial repairing properties provides a concise review of the use of statins in the treatment of Kawasaki disease. […] This case report documents the use of pravastatin in a 42 year old patient with history of Kawasaki disease complicated by giant left coronary artery aneurysm which resulted in reduction in coronary artery inflammation. […] This small prospective study documents improvement in endothelial function and reduction in low-grade chronic inflammation in patients with coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease following treatment with pravastatin.

• #77

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #78 Research trends on causes of Kawasaki disease in the COVID-19 era: focus on viral infections

  https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?number=20125555536

  The role of the virus in KD pathophysiology or identification of the virus as a direct etiology is expected to be clarified through the development of more advanced diagnostic technologies in the future. […] Therefore, in the future, it will be necessary to conduct continuous research on immune responses in patients with KD, including their genetic backgrounds, and identify KD causative factors, including various pathogens.

• #79

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that affects young children and can result in coronary artery aneurysms. The etiology is currently unknown, but new clues from the epidemiology of KD in Japan, the country of highest incidence, are beginning to shed light on what may trigger this acute inflammatory condition. […] The cause of Kawasaki disease (KD), the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children, remains a mystery after 50 years of investigation. […] A large dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms from approximately 25% to 5%. […] Solving the etiology of KD could lead to more targeted and more affordable therapies so that all the worlds children could be treated. […] Epidemiologic observations from Japan provide clues to etiology.

• #80 Kawasaki Disease: Understanding the Rare Illness in Children | Kawasaki Disease Foundation

  https://kdfoundation.org/kawasaki-disease-understanding-the-rare-illness-in-children/

  Kawasaki Disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. The exact cause remains unknown, but researchers believe it may be triggered by an abnormal immune response to an infection in genetically predisposed children. […] Kawasaki Disease is often underdiagnosed due to its rarity and non-specific symptoms. […] Increased funding and research can help uncover the underlying causes and improve treatment protocols.

• #81 Causes of Kawasaki Disease—From Past to Present

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6371652/

  Taking into consideration the knowledge gained from previous reports, the best scenario explaining the pathogenesis is individuals with certain genetic backgrounds are affected by certain microorganisms which trigger KD. […] A common point of view among infectious theories at an early stage is that a pathogen is recognized as an antigen-presenting cell (APC), with factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by macrophage and T cells, etc. activated by macrophages causing vasculitis, leading to the formation of the pathology. […] According to previous reports on Staphylococcus, hemolytic streptococcus, and Yersinia, the generation of superantigens is involved in the pathology of KD in each report. […] Rowley et al. have reported that the postmortem examination of KD patients revealed the invasion of many mononucleoses, CD8 positive T-cells, and IgA producing plasma cells, proposing a hypothesis that viruses invading mainly from the respiratory apparatus stimulate CD8 positive T-cells and B cells in the organ lymph nodes and differentiate them into IgA producing plasma cells, with these cell groups giving rise to vasculitis.

• #82 Kawasaki disease – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_disease

  Kawasaki disease is a syndrome of unknown cause that results in a fever and mainly affects children under 5 years of age. […] While the specific cause is unknown, it is thought to result from an excessive immune response to particular infections in children who are genetically predisposed to those infections. […] The specific cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown. […] A plausible explanation is that it may be caused by an infection that triggers an inappropriate immunologic cascade in a small number of genetically predisposed children. […] Circumstantial evidence points to an infectious cause. […] Since recurrences are unusual in Kawasaki disease, it is thought that the trigger is more likely to be represented by a single pathogen, rather than a range of viral or bacterial agents.

• #83

  https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176938

  Evidence is accumulating that environmental factors may influence or modulate susceptibility to KD. […] While there remains debate about potential causative agents and the role of environmental exposures, there is broad consensus that a complex genetic pattern inherited in a non-Mendelian manner shapes susceptibility to KD. […] Identifying the etiology or etiologies of KD will have a clear effect on diagnosis and treatment and may lead to insights into other unsolved conditions such as sarcoidosis and Behcets disease that are suspected to have an environmental component.

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