Elevated serum YKL-40 levels in patients with Kawasaki disease

Abstract

CONTEXT: YKL-40 is an inflammatory biomarker for endothelial dysfunction that may have a role in Kawasaki disease (KD). OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of serum YKL-40 levels with KD and established laboratory parameters for YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers. METHODS: YKL-40 levels and other inflammatory markers of 23 KD patients, 9 disease control patients and 11 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: YKL-40 concentration in the serum of KD patients significantly increased during the acute disease phase compared with those of disease controls and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased YKL-40 levels may provide a useful inflammatory marker for patients with KD