Plasma fibronectin concentrations inmucocutaneous lymphnodesyndrome

SUMMARY Plasmafibronectin concentrations were measured in41patients suffering from mucocutaneous lymphnodesyndrome (MCLS,Kawasaki disease). Plasmafibronectin concentrations were decreased significantly intheearly daysofthedisease, butincreased gradually and reached significantly highconcentrations bythefourth weekofthedisease. Innineofthe41patients, coronaryinvolvement was foundbyechocardiographic examination. Thesepatients showedsignificantly lowerplasmafibronectin concentrations inthefirst and secondweeksofthedisease thanthosewithout coronary involvement. Astheunderlying pathology ofMCLS isknowntobevasculitis, thelower plasma fibronectin concentrations mightbepartly theresult ofinjury inflicted upon theendothelial cells, which are thought tobethemajorsite ofsynthesis ofcirculating plasmafibronectin concentrations.