Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD) share clinical features. This study compares these syndromes using computational tools analyzing gene signatures (ViP and severe-ViP for SARS-CoV-2 infection and a 13-transcript signature for KD) across whole blood RNA sequences, serum cytokines, and heart tissues. Results indicate KD and MIS-C share an IL15/IL15RA-centric cytokine storm, suggesting shared immunopathogenesis pathways but diverging in other parameters and cardiac phenotypes. ViP signatures reveal unique targetable pathways in MIS-C, position MIS-C as more severe than KD, and highlight clinical and laboratory parameters for monitoring severity.

Pradipta Ghosh, Gajanan D. Katkar, Chisato Shimizu, Jihoon Kim, Soni Khandelwal, Adriana H. Tremoulet, John T. Kanegaye, Joseph Bocchini, Soumita Das, Jane C. Burns, Debashis Sahoo