Which disease is associated with anti-endothelial cell antibodies in non-infectious vasculitis (immune mediated)?

• A. Kawasaki disease
• B. Giant cell arteritis
• C. Immune complex vasculitis
• D. ANCA vasculitis

Answer: (A)

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies are autoantibodies directed against endothelial cell components. In immune-mediated, non-infectious vasculitis, they are most classically described in Kawasaki disease, where AECA can be detected during the acute phase and are linked to endothelial injury and coronary artery involvement. This makes Kawasaki disease the best-fit association for AECA among the options, whereas giant cell arteritis centers on granulomatous infiltration of large vessels, immune complex vasculitis is driven by circulating immune complexes rather than endothelial-targeted antibodies, and ANCA vasculitis hinges on anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (not AECA) as the defining feature.