KD Research Program 2006 doc. Version
The Kawasaki Disease Research Program is a joint collaboration between the Departments of Pediatrics and Sociology at UCSD, the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and the Children’s Hospital of San Diego. The Program was created to help foster excellence in care for patients with Kawasaki Disease (KD) and to support clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic investigation into the etiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of the disease. The Program brings together investigators from Japan and the United States with diverse research interests and expertise to work together to further our understanding of this enigmatic disease.
Epidemiology of KD in San Diego County, Dr. Annie Kao
| Reporting of KD cases to the county health department is a requirement in California. This study was performed in collaboration with the San Diego Dept. of Health Services and describes all patients diagnosed with KD in San Diego County during the 5-yr. study period from 1998-2003. For the first time, clustering of KD cases in time and space was documented, which further suggests an infectious disease trigger for KD. The study is being prepared for publication. |
Genetics and KD
Regions of the DNA that may influence susceptibility to KD and outcome were examined in a mixed ethnic/racial cohort of KD patients and their families from North America. Variation in the genes for Interleukin-4 and the chemokine receptor 5 influences KD susceptibility. Families with multiple affected members are now being recognized in North America.
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Dergun M, Kao A, Hauger SB, Newburger JW, Burns JC. Familial occurrence of Kawasaki syndrome in North America. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:876-881. |
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Burns JC, Shimizu C, Gonzalez E, Kulkarni H, Patel S, Shike J, Sundel RS, Newburger JW, Ahuja SK. Genetic variations in the receptor-ligand pair, CCR5 and CCL3L1, are important determinants of susceptibility to Kawasaki disease. J Infect Dis. 2005;192:344-349. |
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Burns JC, Shimizu C, Shike H, Newburger JW, Sundel RS, Matsubara T, Ishikawa Y, Cheng S, Grow MA, Steiner L, Brophy VA, Cantor R. Family-based association analysis of genes in inflammatory and cardiovascular pathways implicates IL-4 in Kawasaki Disease. Genes and Immunity 2005;6:438-444. |
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Climate Study
| In collaboration with Dan Cayan, Director, Climate Center, Scripps Instiution of Oceanography, we studied possible links between KD and seasons of the year. In Japan, there are two peaks, one in the winter months (Jan.-March) and a second in mid-summer (July/August). This pattern for KD also is evident in San Diego County. |
Diagnostic test for KD
| Despite several years of research, the cause of KD remains a mystery. This study will use innovative techniques to examine KD patients’ RNA (genetic information) and protein levels in the blood to look for patterns that may be used as a diagnostic test |
Genetic polymorphisms study
| An examination of KD patients’ DNA and comparison with DNA from their biologic parents will reveal the ways in which children are genetically predisposed to develop Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysms. We are currently enrolling patients and their parents in this study. Please contact us if you would like to participate (619-543-5326 or e-mail jcburns@ucsd.edu). |
New treatment for children who fail to respond to IVIG infusion
Approximately 15% of children with KD fail to respond to the first dose of gamma globulin (IVIG). Infliximab (Remicade®) is an antibody that binds TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory molecule that is elevated in the blood of children with KD. This therapeutic antibody may help turn off the inflammation in children who do not completely respond to IVIG.
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Burns JC, Mason WH, Hauger SB, Janai H, Bastian JF, Wohrley JD, Balfour I, Shen CA, Michel ED, Shulman ST, Melish ME. Infliximab treatment for refractory Kawasaki syndrome. J Pediatr. 2005;146:662-667. |
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