A University of Western Australia scientist has begun to unravel the genetic secrets of Kawasaki disease, a mysterious and potentially deadly childhood condition.

The rare disease was thrown into the spotlight this week by the sudden death of John Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett, who suffered a bout of the illness as a young child.

Researchers led by UWA scientist David Burgner have discovered five genes that make children more susceptible to the disease, which damages blood vessels and could raise the risk of heart attacks in later life.

Understanding the genetic factors that make children more likely to develop it could lead to a diagnostic test or even a vaccine, Associate Professor Burgner said. The exact cause remains unknown, making diagnosis difficult for doctors.

The genetic discovery could also explain why it is more prevalent in certain populations, such as Japan, where it affects one in 150 children.

The researchers scanned the entire DNA sequence, or genome, of 893 Kawasaki sufferers, and compared them to healthy subjects in a bid to find genetic variations linked to the disease.

The five genes seem to be involved in blood-vessel development and the immune system, said Associate Professor Burgner, who published the results today in the journal PLoS Genetics.

It is the first time this approach, called a whole-genome association study, has been applied to an infectious disease. The condition is thought to be triggered when the immune system overreacts to an as-yet-undiscovered bacteria or virus.

"The genes that we found are only one piece of the jigsaw puzzle," Associate Professor Burgner said.

Knowing what genes are involved could help identify the infective agent, or agents, responsible for the illness. Experts think it is infectious because it shows periodic epidemics, much like other infectious diseases such as measles.

Craigie mother Amanda Allen, whose daughter Lily developed Kawasaki disease at seven weeks old, said a quick diagnostic test would have saved her a lot of heartache.

When Lily, now healthy and aged 12 months, developed flu-like symptoms, lethargy and breathing difficulties, it took doctors 11 days to make a diagnosis.

Other symptoms included mottled skin, rashes, and red and peeling hands and feet. "It was just such a relief as soon as we knew what it was and that it could be treated," Mrs Allen said.

Lily recovered in just two days thanks to anti-inflammatories and immune system drugs, although Mrs Allen said Lily's long-term risk of heart disease are still not known.

Doctors said Jett Travolta's death was unlikely to be linked to the disease, which typically affects young children. Associate Professor Burgner said it would be "very unusual" for the conditions to trigger seizures, which Jett reportedly suffered.