Tropospheric winds from northeastern China carry the etiologic agent of Kawasaki disease from its source to Japan

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1400380111
• Publication Date: 2014-05-20T02:36:03Z
• Authors: Xavier Rodó; Roger Curcoll; Marguerite Robinson; Joan Ballester; Jane C. Burns; Daniel R. Cayan; W. Ian Lipkin; Brent L. Williams; Mara Couto-Rodriguez; Yosikazu Nakamura; Ritei Uehara; Hiroshi Tanimoto; Josep-Anton Morguí
• Keywords: Incubation period

Evidence indicates that the densely cultivated region of northeastern China acts as a source for wind-borne agent Kawasaki disease (KD). KD is an acute, coronary artery vasculitis young children, and still medical mystery after more than 40 y. We used residence times from simulations with flexible particle dispersion model to pinpoint KD. Simulations were generated locations spanning Japan days either high or low incidence. The postepidemic interval (1987-2010) extreme epidemics (1979, 1982, 1986) pointed same region. Results suggest very short incubation period (<24 h) exposure, thus making infectious unlikely. Sampling campaigns over during season detected major differences in microbiota tropospheric aerosols compared ground aerosols, unexpected finding Candida species dominant fungus aloft samples (54% all fungal strains). These results, consistent animal KD, provide support concept feasibility windborne pathogen. A toxin could be pursued possible etiologic agricultural source, time synchronized outbreaks. Our study suggests causative preformed environmental rather organism requiring replication. propose new paradigm whereby idiosyncratic immune response, influenced by host genetics triggered exposure carried on winds, results clinical syndrome known acute