Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Long COVID: The SARS-CoV-2 Viral Superantigen Hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a febrile pediatric inflammatory disease that may develop weeks after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure. MIS-C involves systemic hyperinflammation and multiorgan involvement, including severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (GI) and neurological symptoms. Some clinical attributes of MIS-C-such as persistent fever, rashes, conjunctivitis and oral mucosa changes (red fissured lips and strawberry tongue)-overlap with features of Kawasaki disease (KD). In addition, MIS-C shares striking clinical similarities with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is triggered by bacterial superantigens (SAgs). The remarkable similarities between MIS-C and TSS prompted a search for SAg-like structures in the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the discovery of a

SUBMITTER: Noval Rivas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9300823 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature