Table 4 Comparison of studies on platelet functions in Kawasaki disease reported in English literature

Yokoyama et al. (1980) Japan [8]

Platelet aggregation by optical density method

23 patients with KD (Age range: 3 months-6 years; M:F = 14:9);

Platelet aggregation in patients with untreated KD (82.4 ± 11.6 %) significantly higher than normal controls (69 ± 5 %) and patients with KD treated with low dose aspirin (66.8 ± 9.6 %). Platelet aggregation increased from 2nd week of illness.

Burns et al. (1984) USA [12]

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin

31 patients with KD

Levels significantly higher in patients with coronary aneurysms compared to patients without aneurysms measured 3 weeks after fever (72.3 ng/ml vs. 29.4 ng/ml respectively, p < 0.002).

Taki et al. (2003)

Japan [7]

Platelet aggregation by particle counting method (mV count)

104 children with KD (mean age: 2.1 ± 1.9 years; M:F = 15:11); 9 normal controls

Spontaneous platelet aggregation was higher in patients with KD (46.6 × 10³±13.2 × 10³) compared to normal subjects (9.4 × 10³±3 × 10³). It reduced significantly after IVIg therapy (22.8 × 10³±6.6 × 10³).

Ueno et al. (2009)

Japan [13]

Platelet VEGF by ELISA

80 patients with KD (Mean age: 2.1 ± 1.8 years, M:F = 43:37); 26 controls

Levels significantly high in KD (18.8 ± 10.1 × 10^− 8 pg) compared to controls (8.1 ± 3.0 × 10^− 8 pg). The levels decreased in IVIg responders and remained elevated in IVIg non-responders.

Yahata et al. (2014) Japan [10]

Platelet derived microparticles by ELISA

18 patients with acute KD (mean age: 2 years 7 months) in whom 14 received IVIg therapy; 33 children as febrile controls

Levels were significantly high in acute phase of KD (43.9 ± 13.5 U/ml) compared to febrile controls (15.4 ± 6.8 U/ml). The levels significantly came down with IVIg therapy and it rebounded after discontinuation of aspirin in 8 patients.

Laurito et al. (2014) Italy [9]

Monocyte platelet aggregates by flow cytometry

14 patients with past history of KD (mean follow-up: 76 ± 58 months; M:F = 9:5); 14 controls

Mean %MPAs were similar in patients and controls even after ADP stimulation (18.3 ± 1.9 % vs. 17.2 ± 1.5 %; p = 0.09). CD41 expression in MPA gate was higher in KD than controls after ADP stimulation (19.3 ± 1.3 % vs. 17 ± 1.7; p < 0.001).

Ueno et al. (2015)

Japan [11]

Neutrophil-platelet aggregates by flow cytometry

40 patients with KD (median age: 1.75 years, M:F ≈ 1:1); 7 febrile controls, and 9 normal controls

Percentage of neutrophil-platelet aggregates were significantly high in KD compared to febrile and normal controls. Rate of decrease in aggregates was significantly high in patients who received prednisolone + IVIg compared to patients who had received IVIg alone.

Present study (2019) India

Monocyte platelet aggregates by flow cytometry

14 patients with acute KD (Median age: 6 years; M:F = 6:1); 15 febrile controls and 13 normal controls

Median %MPA significantly higher in KD compared to febrile and normal control (41.3 vs. 5.9 vs. 4.5 %; p < 0.001). Levels significantly came down 24 h after IVIg therapy (18.6 %; p < 0.001).