| Study of Epstein Barr Virus Antibodies in Patients with Kawasaki Disease |
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Dong Hee Shin, Kyung Hyo Kim, Young Mi Hong, Gyung Hee Kim |
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Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University, Colledge of Medicine, Seoul |
| 가와사끼병에서 Epstein Barr Virus항체에 대한 연구 |
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신동희, 김경효, 홍영미, 김경희 |
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이화여자대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실 |
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| Abstract |
Purpose
: The etiology of the Kawasaki disease remains unclear, many strong clinical and
epidemiologic characteristics suggest an infectious etiology. However, conventional bacterial and
viral cultures and extensive serologic studies have not revealed a consistent causative agent. Thus
we studied the Epstein Barr virus(EBV), one of the most important pathogens, to access the
association between the EBV and Kawasaki disease.
Methods
: Seventy-two patients with Kawasaki disease were studied between June 1993 and
July 1994 at Ewha Womans University Hospital. The control children were composed of 145
patients who have no evidence of Kawasaki disease or EBV infection. The VCA -IgM and IgG
titer were measured in both groups by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
Results
:
1) The positive rate of VCA-IgG was significantly higher in Kawasaki disease group (75.0%)
compared with the control group(59.4%).
2) The positive rate of VCA-IgM, the indicator of acute EBV infection, was significantly
higher in Kawasaki disease(13.9%) compared with the control group(2.1%).
Conclusions
: The high positive rate of EBV antibody measured in Kawasaki disease patients
suggested that EBV might be etiologic pathogen of Kawasaki disease. While the stereotyped
nature of Kawasaki disease makes the multiple pathogenesis, more extensive research for
identifying the cause of Kawasaki disease will be necessary. |
| Key Words:
Kawasaki Disease, Epstein Barr Virus |
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