The genetics of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a complex disorder which affects genetically susceptible infants and children. Several susceptibility genes (e.g., ITPKC, CASP3, CD40 and ORAI) and chromosomal regions have been identified through genome-wide association and genome-wide linkage studies to have association with KD. Knowledge of susceptibility genes involved in the pathogenesis of KD may provide new insights into diagnosis and treatment of this condition. However, there is much that we still do not know about the genetic basis of KD.