Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Oct 26, 2024; 12(30): 6346-6348
Published online Oct 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i30.6346
Rethinking Kawasaki disease diagnosis: Continuing the search for new biomarkers
Yan Pan, Fu-Yong Jiao
Yan Pan, Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, Hubei Province, China
Fu-Yong Jiao, Shaanxi Kawasaki Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Children's Hospital, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Xi'an, Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: Jiao FY designed the research study; Pan Y designed the research study, performed the research, contributed new reagents and analytic tools, analyzed the data, wrote the manuscript, read and approve the final manuscript.
Supported by The Hubei Pediatric Alliance Medical Research Project, No. HPAMRP202117.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fu-Yong Jiao, MD, Research Scientist, Shaanxi Kawasaki Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Children's Hospital, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Xi'an, Jiaotong University, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Beilin District, Xi'an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China. 3105089948@qq.com
Received: May 18, 2024
Revised: August 14, 2024
Accepted: August 19, 2024
Published online: October 26, 2024
Processing time: 108 Days and 15.5 Hours
Abstract

Recent findings by Yamashita et al report a Kawasaki disease (KD) case with normal biomarker levels, challenging traditional diagnostic paradigms. This editorial explores the implications of such atypical KD presentations, emphasizing the need for novel biomarkers and revised diagnostic guidelines. The case underscores the limitations of current biomarkers, the importance of clinical judgment, and the necessity for comprehensive research to identify new diagnostic tools. Emerging technologies in proteomics and genomics offer potential avenues for discovering reliable biomarkers. Revisiting clinical guidelines to incorporate flexibility for atypical presentations is crucial. Ensuring timely and accurate KD diagnosis, even without elevated traditional biomarkers, prevents severe complications. Future advancements should focus on novel biomarkers to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Kawasaki disease; Diagnostic criteria; Guide line; Biomarker; Technologies

Core Tip: A recent case report challenges this paradigm by presenting a Kawasaki disease (KD) case with normal biomarker levels, emphasizing the need for novel biomarkers. This editorial discusses the limitations of current biomarkers, the importance of clinical judgment, and the necessity for comprehensive research to identify new diagnostic tools. Emerging technologies in proteomics and genomics may offer promising avenues for discovering reliable biomarkers, ensuring timely and accurate KD diagnosis, even in atypical KD.