Which condition is characterized by acute febrile illness and systemic vasculitis?

Kawasaki disease is characterized by acute febrile illness and systemic vasculitis, primarily affecting children. This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly the coronary arteries, which can lead to serious cardiovascular complications if not treated appropriately. Fever lasting more than five days, along with other clinical features such as rash, conjunctivitis, changes in lips and oral cavity (like strawberry tongue), cervical lymphadenopathy, and palm and sole involvement, are hallmark signs of Kawasaki disease.

The systemic inflammation in Kawasaki disease is what distinguishes it from other conditions listed. In contrast, rheumatic fever is related to a previous group A streptococcal infection and is primarily characterized by its effects on the heart, joints, skin, and brain, with a particular focus on its potential to cause rheumatic heart disease. Scarlet fever, an infectious disease resulting from group A Streptococcus, is characterized by a distinct rash and does not typically involve systemic vasculitis. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species transmitted through mosquito bites, results in fever and systemic illness but is primarily an infectious disease rather than one classified under vasculitis. Therefore, the combination of acute febrile illness and systemic vasculitis is specifically indicative of Kawasaki disease.