the invention relates to screening of patients to determine the possible presence of kawasaki disease . the screening involves assaying for levels of vβ2 or vβ8 . 1 by immunoassay , or for the mrna expressing either of these vβ elements . the polymerase chain reaction is one way the mrna level can be determined . once the levels in the patient are determined , they are compared to normal levels . an increase is indicative of possible kawasaki disease .