Cytokines predict coronary aneurysm formation in Kawasaki disease patients

Abstract

In this study, we measured serially the serum levels of cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in 60 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and evaluated the clinical significance of these cytokines in predicting coronary aneurysm formation. Of the 60 patients, 12 were complicated with coronary aneurysm. Blood samples were collected within the 1st week after onset of fever, then once a week for the 1st month, and once a month for another 5 months. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, sIL-2R and TNFα were measured using an ELISA or RIA method. Our results show that the changes in serum IL-6 and IL-8 were faster than those of sIL-2R and TNFα. Within the 1st week, the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in the patients with than in those without coronary aneurysm (PPP<0.05). These findings suggest that the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 obtained in the 1st week may serve as useful parameters in predicting coronary aneurysm formation in KD patients.