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 alpha (
TNF-alpha) 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
TNF alpha 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
TNF alpha. 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 (P < 0.001). In addition, the serum levels of
IL-6 and
IL-8 obtained in the 1st week were highly correlated (P < 0.001) with those of
C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the serum levels of sIL-2R and
TNF alpha were also increased at the 1st week reaching the highest level in the 2nd week. In the 2nd week, the serum levels of sIL-2R and
TNF alpha were significantly higher in the patients with than in those without
coronary aneurysm (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)