Yerusinia infection with symptoms of Kawasaki disease in Japan

Received: June 01, 2019; Accepted: June 05, 2019; Published: June 10, 2019 Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Y. pstb) infection is mainly reported from the Seto Inland Sea coast in Japan and is thought to be localized. That is why Y. pstb infection seems to be of low interest throughout the country. However, in the past there has been an outbreak of Y. pstb infection in Aomori Prefecture, which is far from the Seto Inland Sea. The national distribution of the sporadic cases is unclear, and it is highly likely to be present throughout Japan.

Y. pstb infections have the same symptoms as Kawasaki disease (KD), including coronary artery aneurysm, and there are reports that approximately 10% of cases were clinically indistinguishable from KD [1][2][3]. On the other hand, it has been reported that about 10% of cases diagnosed with KD are suspected to have Y. pstb infection due to antibody elevation [4,5].
Y. pstb is capable of producing the superantigen Y. pstb-derived mitogen (YPM) [6,7]. Generally, many bacteria are found to have the ability to produce superantigen, but the rate of actually producing superantigen is considered to be small. However, it has been reported that about 60% of Y. pstb infections show an increase in YPM antibodies [7]. On the other hand, it has been reported that about 3% of Y. pstb infection with KD symptoms showed an increase in YPM antibody [5].
We also experienced one case of elevated Y. pstb antibody among 3 cases where symptoms such as fever were prolonged due to refractory IVIG and we had to be diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).
The existence of Y. pstb infection with KD symptoms was once noted in the superantigen etiology of KD. At present, as mentioned above, Y. pstb antibody positive seems to be a risk factor for IVIG treatment of Kawasaki syndrome (KS) and coronary artery disease development.

Y. pstb antibody tests and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
(LAMP) tests may be essential tests for medical care of KS not only in Japan but also worldwide.
The existence of Y. pstb infection with KD symptoms was once noted in the superantigen etiology of KD. At present, as mentioned above, Y. pstb antibody positive seems to be a risk factor for IVIG treatment of KS and coronary aneurysm development. Y. pstb antibody tests and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) tests may be essential tests for medical care of KS not only in Japan but also worldwide.
Y. pstb infections and superantigens are likely not the etiology of KD itself. However, it may play an important role in determining the severity and treatment of KS. It is accepted without contradiction with the intestinal dysbiosis with translocation of gut flora theory [8][9][10] regarding the pathogenesis of our KD. The pursuit is thought to be necessary not only to better understand of KS but also to prevent complications.
The morbidity status of KS in Japan is tabulated separately every two years by prefecture. Although there is a difference in morbidity in each prefecture, it does not tend to be high on the Seto Inland Sea coast but is scattered throughout the country. If the Y. pstb infection is localized only in a limited area, the prevalence and age distribution of KS and the frequency of coronary artery aneurysm may be different, and its epidemiological study may also be necessary.