The role of respiratory virus infection in suspected pertussis: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by Bordetella pertussis are frequent and responsible for cases of huge severity in unvaccinated young infants. However, clinical manifestations vary and mimic other respiratory diseases as respiratory viruses. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed with infants under 1 old, hospitalized with suspected pertussis. All infants were submitted to etiological research to identify Bordetella pertussis (nasopharynx swab for culture and/or PCR) and respiratory viruses (nasopharyngeal aspirate for indirect immunofluorescence). Clinical and demographic data were collected. RESULTS: Among 59 infants, an etiological agent was identified in 37 (62.8%). Respiratory virus was identified in 19 (32%) and Bordetella pertussis in 14 (23.7%) as sole agent. Codetection was found in 4 (7%). Younger age, absence of fever, lack of BP immunization, leukocytosis > 20,000/mm3, lymphocytosis >10,000/mm3 were associated to a greater chance of pertussis. Wheezing and living with siblings were associated with viral infection. After adjustment for confounders, the most important predictors were presence of wheezing for respiratory virus and leukocytosis for pertussis. The severity of infections by RV and BP were similar. CONCLUSION: Respiratory virus infections are frequent in cases of clinical suspicion of pertussis and may actually exceed the prevalence of BP. Clinical/laboratory characteristics may suggest the etiology, but they are not pathognomonic, which stresses the need for respiratory virus and Bordetella pertussis research in this clinical situation.

The impact of varicella vaccination on varicella-related hospitalization rates: global data review / Impacto da vacina varicela nas taxas de internações relacionadas à varicela: revisão de dados mundiais

Abstract Objective: To describe the impact of varicella vaccination on varicella-related hospitalization rates in countries that implemented universal vaccination against the disease. Data source: We identified countries that implemented universal vaccination against varicella at the http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/schedules site of the World Health Organization and selected articles in Pubmed describing the changes (pre/post-vaccination) in the varicella-related hospitalization rates in these countries, using the Keywords "varicella", "vaccination/vaccine" and "children" (or) "hospitalization". Publications in English published between January 1995 and May 2015 were included. Data synthesis: 24 countries with universal vaccination against varicella and 28 articles describing the impact of the vaccine on varicella-associated hospitalizations rates in seven countries were identified. The US had 81.4%–99.2% reduction in hospitalization rates in children younger than four years, 6–14 years after the onset of universal vaccination (1995), with vaccination coverage of 90%; Uruguay: 94% decrease (children aged 1–4 years) in six years, vaccination coverage of 90%; Canada: 93% decrease (age 1–4 years) in 10 years, coverage of 93%; Germany: 62.4% decrease (age 1–4 years) in 8 years, coverage of 78.2%; Australia: 76.8% decrease (age 1–4 years) in 5 years, coverage of 90%; Spain: 83.5% decrease (age <5 years) in four years, coverage of 77.2% and Italy 69.7%–73.8% decrease (general population), coverage of 60%–95%. Conclusions: The publications showed variations in the percentage of decrease in varicella-related hospitalization rates after universal vaccination in the assessed countries; the results probably depend on the time since the implementation of universal vaccination, differences in the studied age group, hospital admission criteria, vaccination coverage and strategy, which does not allow direct comparison between data.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever o impacto da vacina varicela nas taxas de internações hospitalares associadas à varicela nos países que adotaram a vacinação universal contra a doença. Fontes de dados: Identificaram-se países que adotaram a vacinação universal contra varicela pelo site http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/schedules da Organização Mundial de Saúde e selecionaram-se os artigos no Pubmed que descrevem a variação (pré/pós-vacinal) nas taxas de internações relacionadas à varicela desses países, com auxílio das palavras chaves: "varicella", "vaccination/vaccine" e "children" (ou) "hospitalization". Incluíram-se publicações em inglês entre janeiro de 1995 e maio de 2015. Síntese dos dados: Foram identificados 24 países com vacinação universal contra a varicela e 28 artigos que descrevem o impacto da vacina nas internações associadas à varicela em sete países. Os EUA tiveram 81,4%-99,2% de redução na taxa de internação em crianças menores de quatro anos, após 6-14 anos do início da vacinação universal (1995), com cobertura vacinal de 90%; Uruguai: 94% de queda (crianças de 1-4 anos) em 6 anos, cobertura vacinal de 90%; Canadá: 93% de redução (1-4 anos) em 10 anos, cobertura de 93%; Alemanha: 62,4% de redução (1-4 anos) em 8 anos, cobertura de 78,2%; Austrália: queda de 76,8% (1-4 anos) em 5 anos, cobertura de 90%; Espanha: 83,5% de queda (<5 anos) em 4 anos, cobertura de 77,2%; e Itália: queda entre 69,7%-73,8% (população geral), cobertura de 60%-95%. Conclusões: As publicações revelaram variação no percentual de queda na hospitalização por varicela após a vacinação universal nos países pesquisados; os resultados provavelmente dependem do tempo decorrido após introdução da vacinação universal, diferenças na faixa etária estudada, critérios de internação, cobertura vacinal e estratégia de vacina, não permitindo comparação direta entre os dados.

The impact of varicella vaccination on varicella-related hospitalization rates: global data review. / Impacto da vacina varicela nas taxas de internações relacionadas à varicela: revisão de dados mundiais.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the impact of varicella vaccination on varicella-related hospitalization rates in countries that implemented universal vaccination against the disease. DATA SOURCE: we identified countries that implemented universal vaccination against varicella at the http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/schedules site of the World Health Organization and selected articles in Pubmed describing the changes (pre/post-vaccination) in the varicella-related hospitalization rates in these countries, using the Keywords "varicella", "vaccination/vaccine" and "children" (or) "hospitalization". Publications in English published between January 1995 and May 2015 were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: 24 countries with universal vaccination against varicella and 28 articles describing the impact of the vaccine on varicella-associated hospitalizations rates in seven countries were identified. The US had 81.4% -99.2% reduction in hospitalization rates in children younger than four years after 6-14 years after the onset of universal vaccination (1995), with vaccination coverage of 90%; Uruguay: 94% decrease (children aged 1-4 years) in six years, vaccination coverage of 90%; Canada: 93% decrease (age 1-4 years) in 10 years, coverage of 93%; Germany: 62.4% decrease (age 1-4 years) in 8 years, coverage of 78.2%; Australia: 76.8% decrease (age 1-4 years) in 5 years, coverage of 90%; Spain: 83.5% decrease (age <5 years) in four years, coverage of 77.2% and Italy 69.7% -73.8% decrease (general population), coverage of 60%-95%. CONCLUSIONS: The publications showed variations in the percentage of decrease in varicella-related hospitalization rates after universal vaccination in the assessed countries; the results probably depend on the time since the implementation of universal vaccination, differences in the studied age group, hospital admission criteria, vaccination coverage and strategy, which does not allow direct comparison between data.

Dengue fever as a cause of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries in Southeast Asia, the Americas, the western Pacific, Africa and the eastern Mediterranean regions. The virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue disease is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in humans and is a global and national public health concern in several countries. A seasonal pattern of dengue disease is consistently observed. The highest incidences usually correspond to the period of highest rainfall and humidity, providing suitable conditions for Aedes aegypti breeding and survival. In Brazil for instance it is from January to June. Dengue may cause marked changes in bone marrow that result in hypocellularity and, consequently, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, along with an increase in hematocrit, which is secondary to capillary leakage. However, those abnormalities are usually self-limited, and do not warrant further investigations, such as a marrow biopsy or a myelogram. The occurrence of persistent reactive hemophagocytosis is uncommon and usually leads to serious adverse outcomes. The authors report the case of an 8-year old girl complaining of high-grade fever, malaise, headache, abdominal pain and a cutaneous rash. Laboratory examination revealed atypical lymphocytosis on peripheral blood count, hyperbilirrunemia, abnormal liver enzymes and clotting tests. Serology was positive for dengue. Because of the persistence of fever and laboratory examinations were consistent with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) a bone marrow aspiration was performed, which confirmed the presence of hemophagocytosis. Hence we report a rare presentation of dengue accompanied by self-limited HLH that hopefully evolve to favorable outcome.

Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy: an unusual diagnosis for the general pediatrician.

Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy (AHEI) is a rare leukocytoclastic vasculitis, clinically characterized by the classical triad: palpable purpuric skin lesions, edema and fever, and is commonly misdiagnosed as Henoch-Schönlein purpura. In addition to its sudden onset, AHEI is also characterized by its self-limited course with complete and spontaneous recovery occurring between 1 and 3 weeks. Because of the scarcity of studies on therapy with corticosteroids, the conservative approach is usually recommended. The authors report an unusual case of an one-year-old boy who presented with typical cutaneous rash of AHEI and orchitis, the latter showing complete resolution after less than 24 hours of prednisolone therapy. The authors call attention to this entity mainly as a differential diagnosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura and to the importance of new studies to establish the benefits of corticosteroid therapy for AHEI.

Subserous lymphangioma of the sigmoid colon: an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in pediatric patients.

Lymphangioma is a rare, benign lesion derived from a malformation of the lymphatic system, which is more frequently found in the head, neck, and axilla. However, it may be present anywhere in the body, and the diagnosis involves adults as children with some distinct clinical features among them. In pediatric patients, abdominal cystic lymphangioma occurs mostly in the mesentery presenting abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or, more rarely, hemorrhage. The authors report the case of a child with a short-course history of fever, abdominal pain, and constipation. The physical examination disclosed the presence of an abdominal mass and signs of peritoneal irritation. Imaging was consistent with a cystic lesion compressing the sigmoid colon and laterally displacing the remaining loops. Exploratory laparotomy was undertaken, and a sigmoidectomy, followed by Hartman's colostomy, was performed. Histological examination revealed the nature of the lesion as a cystic lymphangioma. The authors highlight the clinical features of this entity and call attention to this disease in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen or abdominal pain, mainly in pediatric patients.

Otomastoiditis caused by Sphingomonas paucimobilis: case report and literature review.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an aerobic Gram-negative bacillus that, although rare in humans, most commonly infects immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Among the 59 pediatric cases of S. paucimobilis infection reported in the literature, the most common diagnosis involves isolated bacteremia. These cases are related to sporadic or epidemic infections. Death related to this infection occurred in only one case. The authors report a case of an 11-year-old boy with the diagnosis of Sphingomonas paucimobilis otomastoiditis and a thorough review of the literature on this infection in pediatrics. The patient presented a 20-day history of fever, otalgia, otorrhea, and progressive retroauricular swelling with protrusion of the left ear; despite 15 days of amoxicillin regimen. His past medical history included chronic bilateral otitis media, but no cause of immunosuppression was found. A brain computed tomography scan showed left otomastoiditis associated with a large circumscribed fluid collection with deep involvement of the soft tissues of the temporal region, including the subperiosteal space. Blood tests showed neutrophilia and elevated C-reactive protein. Surgical manipulation of the cited collection drained a large amount of a fetid purulent secretion. Ceftazidime and clindamycin were empirically initiated. The outcome was favorable, with fever defervescence and resolution of the scalp deformation. Culture of the drained secretion was positive for S. paucimobilis. Ciprofloxacin was scheduled for a further 10 days after discharge. The follow-up showed complete recovery. As far as we know, this is the first case of S. paucimobilis otomastoiditis, complicated with subperiosteal abscess in an immunocompetent child. The authors call attention to the increasing number of reports on S. paucimobilis infection over the years, and therefore to the importance of this pathogen, which was previously underestimated.

Cat-scratch disease presenting as multiple hepatic lesions: case report and literature review.

Although infectious diseases are the most prevalent cause of fevers of unknown origin (FUO), this diagnosis remains challenging in some pediatric patients. Imaging exams, such as computed tomography (CT) are frequently required during the diagnostic processes. The presence of multiple hypoattenuating scattered images throughout the liver associated with the history of cohabitation with cats should raise the suspicion of the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease (CSD), although the main etiologic agent of liver abscesses in childhood is Staphylococcus aureus. Differential diagnosis by clinical and epidemiological data with Bartonella henselae is often advisable. The authors report the case of a boy aged 2 years and 9 months with 16-day history of daily fever accompanied by intermittent abdominal pain. Physical examination was unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound performed in the initial work up was unrevealing, but an abdominal CT that was performed afterwards disclosed multiple hypoattenuating hepatic images compatible with the diagnosis of micro abscesses. Initial antibiotic regimen included cefotaxime, metronidazole, and oxacillin. Due to the epidemiology of close contact with kittens, diagnosis of CSD was considered and confirmed by serologic tests. Therefore, the initial antibiotics were replaced by clarithromycin orally for 14 days followed by fever defervescence and clinical improvement. The authors call attention to this uncommon diagnosis in a child presenting with FUO and multiple hepatic images suggestive of micro abscesses.

Etiological diagnosis reduces the use of antibiotics in infants with bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute bronchiolitis is a leading cause of infant hospitalization and is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Etiological tests are not required for its diagnosis, but the influence of viral screening on the therapeutic approach for acute bronchiolitis remains unclear. METHODS: A historical cohort was performed to assess the impact of viral screening on drug prescriptions. The study included infants up to one year of age who were hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Virus screening was performed using immunofluorescence assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates. The clinical data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Therapeutic changes were considered to be associated with viral screening when made within 24 hours of the release of the results. RESULTS: The frequency of prescriptions for beta agonists, corticosteroids and antibiotics was high at the time of admission and was similar among the 230 patients. The diagnosis of pneumonia and otitis was associated with the introduction of antibiotics but did not influence antibiotics maintenance after the results of the virus screening were obtained. Changes in the prescriptions were more frequent for the respiratory syncytial virus patients compared to patients who had negative viral screening results (p =0.004), especially the discontinuation of antibiotics (p<0.001). The identification of respiratory syncytial virus was associated with the suspension of antibiotics (p= 0.003), even after adjusting for confounding variables (p = 0.004); however, it did not influence the suspension of beta-agonists or corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: The identification of respiratory syncytial virus in infants with bronchiolitis was independently associated with the discontinuation of antibiotics during hospitalization.

Etiological diagnosis reduces the use of antibiotics in infants with bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE: Acute bronchiolitis is a leading cause of infant hospitalization and is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Etiological tests are not required for its diagnosis, but the influence of viral screening on the therapeutic approach for acute bronchiolitis remains unclear. METHODS: A historical cohort was performed to assess the impact of viral screening on drug prescriptions. The study included infants up to one year of age who were hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Virus screening was performed using immunofluorescence assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates. The clinical data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Therapeutic changes were considered to be associated with viral screening when made within 24 hours of the release of the results. RESULTS: The frequency of prescriptions for beta agonists, corticosteroids and antibiotics was high at the time of admission and was similar among the 230 patients. The diagnosis of pneumonia and otitis was associated with the introduction of antibiotics but did not influence antibiotics maintenance after the results of the virus screening were obtained. Changes in the prescriptions were more frequent for the respiratory syncytial virus patients compared to patients who had negative viral screening results (p =0.004), especially the discontinuation of antibiotics (p<0.001). The identification of respiratory syncytial virus was associated with the suspension of antibiotics (p= 0.003), even after adjusting for confounding variables (p = 0.004); however, it did not influence the suspension of beta-agonists or corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: The identification of respiratory syncytial virus in infants with bronchiolitis was independently associated with the discontinuation of antibiotics during hospitalization.

Gravidade das coinfecções virais em lactentes hospitalizados com infecção por vírus sincicial respiratório / Severity of viral coinfection in hospitalized infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection

OBJETIVO: Comparar a gravidade de infecções causadas por um único vírus (VSR) com a gravidade de coinfecções. MÉTODOS: Este estudo avaliou uma coorte histórica de lactentes com infecção aguda por VSR. Secreção de nasofaringe foi coletada de todos os pacientes rotineiramente para pesquisa viral usando técnicas de biologia molecular. Os seguintes desfechos foram analisados: tempo total de internação, duração da oxigenioterapia, admissão em unidade de terapia intensiva e uso de ventilação mecânica. Os resultados foram ajustados para os fatores confundidores (prematuridade, idade e aleitamento materno). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 176 lactentes com idade média de 4,5 meses e diagnósticos de bronquiolite e/ou pneumonia. Cento e vinte e um tinham infecção única por VSR, e 55 tinham coinfecções (24 VSR + adenovírus, 16 VSR + metapneumovírus humano e 15 outras associações menos frequentes). Os quatro desfechos de gravidade avaliados foram semelhantes entre o grupo com infecção única por VSR e os grupos com coinfecções, independente do tipo de vírus associado com o VSR. CONCLUSÃO: As coinfecções virais não parecem alterar o prognóstico de lactentes hospitalizados com infecção aguda por VSR.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the severity of single respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections with that of coinfections. METHODS: A historical cohort was studied, including hospitalized infants with acute RSV infection. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were collected from all patients to detect eight respiratory viruses using molecular biology techniques. The following outcomes were analyzed: duration of hospitalization and of oxygen therapy, intensive care unit admission and need of mechanical ventilation. Results were adjusted for confounding factors (prematurity, age and breastfeeding). RESULTS: A hundred and seventy six infants with bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia were included in the study. Their median age was 4.5 months. A hundred and twenty one had single RSV infection and 55 had coinfections (24 RSV + adenovirus, 16 RSV + human metapneumovirus and 15 other less frequent viral associations). The four severity outcomes under study were similar in the group with single RSV infection and in the coinfection groups, independently of what virus was associated with RSV. CONCLUSION: Virus coinfections do not seem to affect the prognosis of hospitalized infants with acute RSV infection.

Severity of viral coinfection in hospitalized infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the severity of single respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections with that of coinfections. METHODS: A historical cohort was studied, including hospitalized infants with acute RSV infection. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were collected from all patients to detect eight respiratory viruses using molecular biology techniques. The following outcomes were analyzed: duration of hospitalization and of oxygen therapy, intensive care unit admission and need of mechanical ventilation. Results were adjusted for confounding factors (prematurity, age and breastfeeding). RESULTS: A hundred and seventy six infants with bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia were included in the study. Their median age was 4.5 months. A hundred and twenty one had single RSV infection and 55 had coinfections (24 RSV + adenovirus, 16 RSV + human metapneumovirus and 15 other less frequent viral associations). The four severity outcomes under study were similar in the group with single RSV infection and in the coinfection groups, independently of what virus was associated with RSV. CONCLUSION: Virus coinfections do not seem to affect the prognosis of hospitalized infants with acute RSV infection.

Tuberculose na infância na forma de pseudotumor torácico / Tuberculosis in childhood in form of chest pseudotumor

Objetivo: Descrever um caso de pseudotumor tuberculoso do parênquima pulmonar em criança erever a literatura sobre o tema. Relato do Caso: ANF, 2 anos e 2 meses, sexo feminino, procurou o HU-USP por pneumonia lobar, que não estavarespondendo ao tratamento. Havia recebido 10 dias de amoxacilina e 5 dias de penicilina procaína, masmantinha tosse, febre e imagem radiológica inalterada. Internada em nosso serviço para tratamentocom cefuroxima, posteriormente associada claritromicina, com manutenção da febre e imagemradiológica. Tomografia de tórax mostrou opacificação heterogênea com 5 cm de diâmetro em ápice esquerdo com realce periférico. Indicada toracotomia, que mostrou massa aderida ao parênquima e à histopatologia granuloma epitelioide, com necrose caseosa e bacilo álcool ácido resistente (BAAR), comcritério diagnóstico para pseudotumor tuberculoso do parênquima pulmonar. Evoluiu com remissão dafebre após o sexto dia de tratamento com esquema tríplice. Discussão: Esta forma de tuberculose apresenta 27 casos relatados na literatura, sendoapenas dois em crianças. A maioria dos pacientes apresenta-se com tosse não produtiva e sintomas constitucionais são paucibacilíferos, imunocompetentes,com PPD positivo e o diagnóstico é feitopor meio de biopsia por broncoscopia ou toracotomia. A paciente apresentava, como critério diagnóstico para tuberculose, pontuação de 45, segundo Clemax; e para pseudotumor, massa maior de 3 cm associada à histopatologia de granuloma epitelioidecom presença de BAAR positivo e resposta efetiva ao tratamento. O caso se apresentou semelhante à literatura e ressaltamos que é necessário levantar a suspeita diagnóstica de tuberculose em pneumonias de evolução atípica, com critérios clínicos e exames diagnósticos.

Objective: To describe a child’s case of parenchymal pseudotumoral tuberculosis and review theliterature about this disease. Case Report: ANF, 2 years-old, female, looked for HU-USP because of alobar pneumonia that was not responding to the treatment.The child was given amoxicillin for 10 days and procaine penicillin for another five days without showing any improvement. Admitted to our hospitalfor treatment with cefuroxime and clarithromycin which however, without response in fever and radiologicalimaging. Chest tomography showed heterogeneous opacification with 5 cm diameter in the left apex with peripheral enhancement. Thoracotomy was prescribed, which showed a mass attached to the parenchyma andin histopathology an epithelioid granuloma with caseous necrosis and acid alcohol resistant bacilli (AFB), withdiagnostic criteria for Tuberculous pseudotumor of the lung parenchyma. Evolved with remission from fever 237after the sixth day of anti-tubercular therapy. Discussion: This type of tuberculosis was reported in 27 casesin the English literature, of which only two were children. Most patients presented nonproductive cough and constitutional symptoms. They were paucibacillary, immunocompetent, positive on tuberculin testing andthe diagnosis is made through a biopsy by bronchoscopy or thoracotomy. For diagnostic criterion of tuberculosis, this patient presented 45 in Clemax score; and for pseudotumor a mass larger than 3 cm associated withthe histopathology of epithelioid granuloma with the presence of AFB positive and effective response to treatment. This case was considered similar to those reported in literature and emphasizes the need to raise the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the evolution of atypical pneumonia, with clinical criterion and diagnostic tests.

Doença de Kawasaki: experiência clínica em hospital universitário / Kawasaki disease: clinical experience in a university hospital

OBJETIVO: A doença de Kawasaki é uma vasculite sistêmica aguda de etiologia desconhecida. Seu diagnóstico baseia-se em critérios clínicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os casos de pacientes com doença de Kawasaki internados no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo entre janeiro/2000 e junho/2008. MÉTODOS: Dentre todos os pacientes internados na Enfermaria de Pediatria no período acima, foram selecionados aqueles cujo CID de alta foi doença de Kawasaki. Realizou-se estudo descritivo por meio da análise dos prontuários dessas crianças. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 18 casos. A média de internações foi de 2,1 casos/ano. A idade variou de três meses a nove anos. A proporção meninos:meninas foi 1:1,25. Receberam outros diagnósticos prévios 17 pacientes, sendo escarlatina em 2/3 dos casos. O tempo de febre antes do diagnóstico variou de cinco a 11 dias. Nove crianças apresentaram quatro sinais sugestivos de doença de Kawasaki; oito apresentaram cinco sinais e uma apresentou dois sinais, o que foi considerado doença de Kawasaki incompleta. Receberam gamaglobulina 15 crianças (entre o sexto e o décimo dias de evolução) e 11 (73 por cento) ficaram afebris após infusão da medicação. Os demais tiveram febre até 24 horas após a administração. Todos os pacientes realizaram ecocardiograma e três apresentaram aneurisma leve da coronária. CONCLUSÕES: A doença de Kawasaki é habitualmente confundida com outras doenças, o que causa retardo no tratamento e aumento no risco de complicações cardíacas.

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. Its diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. This study aimed to describe Kawasaki disease cases treated at the University Hospital of Universidade de São Paulo, from January/2000 to June/2008. METHODS: Among all patients admitted to the pediatric ward during this period, patients whose discharge ICD was Kawasaki disease were selected. A descriptive study was carried out by analyzing the records of these children. RESULTS: 18 cases were found, with an average of 2.1 cases/year. Patients varied from three to nine years old. The boys/girls ratio was 1/1.25. Seventeen patients had previously been misdiagnosed with other diseases, being 2/3 of them scarlet fever. Prior to diagnosis, fever had persisted for five to 11 days. Nine patients showed four suggestive signs of Kawasaki disease, eight patients showed five signs, and one patient had two suggestive signs, which was considered as incomplete Kawasaki disease. Gammaglobulin was administered to 15 children (between the 6th-10th day of the disease), with 11 (73 percent) of them having no fever following the administration. The other ones had fever for up to 24 hours following gammaglobolin use. All patients were evaluated by echocardiograms, and three of them showed mild coronary aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Kawasaki disease is usually misdiagnosed, thereby delaying treatment and increasing the risk of heart.