Abstract
We have recently published evidence that a retrovirus nay be etiologically related to KD (Lancet, Sept. 6, 1986). We have performed co-cultivation of acute KD patient peripheral blood mcnonuclear cells. (PMBC's) with the human lymphoblastoid cell lines MOLT-3, MOLT-4, NC-37, and HUT-78 in RPMI 1640 media containing PHA, IL-2 and in some cases, polybrene, anti-αinterferon, and PHA-stimulated normal adult or cord blood PBMC's. Culture supernatants were assayed weekly for Mg++-dependent RT activity: aliquots were centrifuged, and the pellet resuspended in tris-HC1 with KC1, DTT, MgCl2, Triton X-100, poly(rA) oligo(dT) and 3H-TTP. After incubation, duplicate aliquots were spotted onto glass fiber filters, washed, dried, and counted. RT activity was detected in 16/341 KD co-cultivation flask supernatants but in only 2/278 flasks containing control lymphocytes (p<0.01). None of 4 convalescent KD sera had antibody to gp120 or gp41, envelope glycoproteins of HIV (HTLV-III), by immunoblot analysis. None of 8 convalescent KD sera had IgG antibody to HTLV-I, and none of 7 had IgM antibody to HTLV-I or IgG antibody to HTLV-II by ELISA's utilizing purified whole disrupted virus. The finding of RT activity in co-cultured supematants supports the possibility of a retroviral etiology for KD, but serologic studies thus far do not show cross-reactive antibodies to HTLV-I, HTLV-II, or HIV in patients with KD.
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Rowley, A., Poiesz, B., Sullivan, J. et al. REVERSE TRANSCRIPPASE (RT) ACPIVITY AND RETROVIRAL SEROLOGY IN KAWASAKI DISEASE (KD). Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 333 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00993
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00993