Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Plasma Cells ; cytology ; Plasmacytoma ; blood ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo study the activation of platelets in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) at molecular level.

METHODSThe expression of platelet surface glycoproteins CD(41), CD(42a), CD(61), CD(62p) and CD(63) in 20 KD patients was measured by flow cytometry before and at 1, 2, 3 week after treatment with aspirin and high-dose (1 approximately 2 g/kg) intravenous gamma-globulin (IVIG).

RESULTSThe expression of glycoprotein CD(41), CD(42a), CD(61), CD(62p) and CD(63) were higher in KD group than in control group. Aspirin and IVIG could not inhibit these high expression of glycoproteins. Higher expression of CD(62p) was observed in patients with coronary artery injury.

CONCLUSIONPlatelets were highly activated in KD patients which may be one of the most important pathophysiological step in KD. It provided a theoretical basis for treatment of KD with antagonist of glycoprotein of platelets. Obviously increase of CD(62p) can be taken as a criterion for predicting coronary artery injury in KD patients.

Aspirin ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; P-Selectin ; metabolism ; Platelet Activation ; physiology ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; gamma-Globulins ; pharmacology