Adult Kawasaki syndrome

Abstract

Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is an idiopathic, acute, febrile, exanthemous illness that primarily affects infants and children. We describe a 20-year-old black woman who fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of KS and excluded other possible causes. In addition, we reviewed data on 21 patients with adult KS reported in the English literature and accepted ten cases as representing this syndrome. The epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and pathologic features of the 11 cases representing adult KS are discussed. Although the initial reports of adult KS in the United States may have actually represented toxic shock syndrome, the occurrence of KS in adults should be acknowledged.