Kawasaki syndrome: immunomodulatory benefit and potential toxin neutralization by intravenous immune globulin.

Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) is an acute multi-system vasculitis of infancy and early childhood associated with the development of coronary artery abnormalities. The prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities can be significantly reduced by treating patients during the first 10 days of illness with high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). Despite the widely held belief that KS is caused by an infectious agent, the aetiology of this illness remains controversial. Recent immunological and microbiological studies suggest a potential role for staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins (superantigens) in the pathogenesis of KS. Confirmation of these findings could result in more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this common cause of acquired heart disease in children.