Increased Serum Levels of Anti‐Mumps and Rubella Viruses Antibodies in Children with Kawasaki Disease

Abstract

Serum IgM and IgG antibodies against mumps virus and rubella virus were quantitated serially by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays in 15 children with Kawasaki disease. IgM antibody against mumps virus and IgG antibody against rubella virus were increased significantly in children with Kawasaki disease who had no previous history of mumps virus or rubella virus infection. Booster‐like effect in IgG antibody levels against mumps virus was observed in children with Kawasaki disease who had a previous history of exposure to mumps virus. Since none of the patients manifested clinical symptoms of mumps or rubella, the increased antibody levels against mumps and rubella may represent a part of the nonspecific increase in serum immunoglobulins in children with Kawasaki disease.