Elevated serum YKL-40 levels in patients with Kawasaki disease.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]