The potential threat of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hussin A. Rothan, Siddappa N. Byrareddy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic raised a global alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Alert Network. The main manifestations of MIS-C (also known as pediatric MIS (PMIS)) in the setting of a severe inflammatory state include fever, diarrhea, shock, and variable presence of rash, conjunctivitis, extremity edema, and mucous membrane changes. In some cases, these symptoms progressed to multi-organ failure. The low percentage of children with asymptomatic cases compared with mild illness and moderate illness could be correlated with the rare cases of MIS-C. One potential explanation for the progression to severe MIS-C disease despite the presence of readily detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could be due to the potential role of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). We reason that the incidence of the ADE phenomenon whereby the pathogen-specific antibodies can promote pathology should be considered in vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-22
Number of pages6
JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Kawasaki syndrome
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • antibody-dependent enhancement
  • multisystem inflammatory syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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