Identifying Biomarker Signatures of Prognostic Value for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a tool that can diagnose multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Some children and young adults who had COVID-19 developed this rare disease about a month after they recovered. MIS-C can be serious since it causes inflammation in various organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, and intestines. MIS-C has symptoms similar to several diseases, including COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease, making diagnosis difficult. Patients must undergo a battery of tests in order to diagnose MIS-C, including bloodwork, x-rays, and echocardiograms, which can take several days, delay treatment, and cause anxiety for parents and children dealing with an undiagnosed illness.

Materials/Methods: The new diagnostic test used an existing invention, a Grating-Coupled Fluorescence Plasmonic (GCFP) chip, which was a small gold chip capable of analyzing up to 400 biomarkers at once, compared to common methods that analyze only one biomarker at a time. The goal was to identify biomarkers that were only present, or present in higher or lower numbers, when someone had MIS-C. Participants were recruited at four hospitals in the U.S. and Colombia, where their blood, saliva, and health information were collected and followed for up to four years. Scientists at five laboratories studied the samples to identify biomarkers and also examined the microbiome to understand why some children develop MIS-C or become seriously ill while others do not.

Outcome/Impact: The intended outcome of this work was to identify unique biomarkers for MIS-C and develop a rapid diagnostic test using the GCFP chip. The test would allow for faster, more accurate diagnosis, reduce delays in treatment, and ease the burden of prolonged uncertainty for families. The study also researched why some children were more vulnerable to MIS-C than others to improve long-term clinical care for pediatric populations affected by COVID-19.