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Ma C, Liu D, Wang B, Yang Y, Zhu R. Advancements and prospects of novel biologicals for myasthenia gravis: toward personalized treatment based on autoantibody specificities. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1370411. [PMID: 38881870 PMCID: PMC11177092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1370411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease with a prevalence of 150-250 cases per million individuals. Autoantibodies include long-lived antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), mainly of the IgG1 subclass, and IgG4, produced almost exclusively by short-lived plasmablasts, which are prevalent in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that MG patients receiving conventional medication today still do not possess satisfactory symptom control, indicating a substantial disease burden. Subsequently, based on the type of the autoantibody and the pathogenesis, we synthesized the published material to date and reached a conclusion regarding the literature related to personalized targeted therapy for MG. Novel agents for AChR MG have shown their efficacy in clinical research, such as complement inhibitors, FcRn receptor antagonists, and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) inhibitors. Rituximab, a representative drug of anti-CD20 therapy, has demonstrated benefits in treatment of MuSK MG patients. Due to the existence of low-affinity antibodies or unidentified antibodies that are inaccessible by existing methods, the treatment for seronegative MG remains complicated; thus, special testing and therapy considerations are necessary. It may be advantageous to initiate the application of novel biologicals at an early stage of the disease. Currently, therapies can also be combined and individualized according to different types of antibodies. With such a wide range of drugs, how to tailor treatment strategies to patients with various conditions and find the most suitable solution for each MG profile are our necessary and urgent aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Benqiao Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruixia Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Martinez-Harms R, Barnett C, Alcantara M, Bril V. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with double-seronegative myasthenia gravis. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16022. [PMID: 37531447 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Double-seronegative myasthenia gravis (dSNMG) is defined as myasthenia gravis (MG) without detectable or low affinity antibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle-specific kinase (MuSK). There are limited data on detailed clinical features and outcomes after treatment in dSNMG patients. The aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in dSNMG patients based on MG scales. METHODS A retrospective study was performed of patients diagnosed with MG who had negative AChR or MuSK antibodies and they were compared with an AChR-positive MG cohort. Correlations were made with data from the first and last clinic visits, between demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment and disease severity, based on the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America category, Myasthenia Gravis Impairment Index (MGII), Patient Acceptable Symptom State and simple single question (SSQ). RESULTS Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria for dSNMG. The baseline MGII and SSQ scores in the dSNMG cohort showed no significant differences from the AChR group (p = 0.94 and p = 0.46). The dSNMG cohort MGII and SSQ scores improved significantly at the last clinical evaluation (p = 0.001 and p = 0.047). The MGII improvement in the AChR cohort was significantly better (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The initial severity of dSNMG based on clinical scores is similar to antibody-positive MG patients. There is significant clinical improvement in dSNMG patients after therapy, measured in the last clinical evaluation. This supports an immune pathophysiology of many dSNMG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Martinez-Harms
- Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolina Barnett
- Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica Alcantara
- Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vera Bril
- Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Lorenzoni PJ, Ducci RDP, Arndt RC, Hrysay NMC, Fustes OJH, Töpf A, Lochmüller H, Werneck LC, Kay CSK, Scola RH. Congenital myasthenic syndrome in a cohort of patients with 'double' seronegative myasthenia gravis. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2021; 80:69-74. [PMID: 34932651 PMCID: PMC9651496 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) have some phenotypic overlap with seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG). OBJECTIVE The aim of this single center study was to assess the minimum occurrence of CMS misdiagnosed as double SNMG in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS The genetic analysis of the most common mutations in CHRNE, RAPSN, and DOK7 genes was used as the main screening tool. RESULTS We performed genetic analysis in 22 patients with a previous diagnosis of 'double' SNMG. In this study, one CMS patient was confirmed due to the presence of compound heterozygous variants in the CHRNE gene (c.130insG/p.Cys210Phe). CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed that CMS due to CHNRE mutations can be mistaken for SNMG. In addition, our study estimated the prevalence of misdiagnosed CMS to be 4.5% in 'double' SNMG patients of our center. Based on our findings, genetic screening could be helpful in the diagnostic workup of patients with 'double' SNMG in whom differential diagnosis is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo José Lorenzoni
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Renata Dal-Pra Ducci
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Raquel Cristina Arndt
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Nyvia Milicio Coblinski Hrysay
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Otto Jesus Hernandez Fustes
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Töpf
- Newcastle University, Institute of Genetic Medicine, John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- University of Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Ottawa, Canada.,University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lineu Cesar Werneck
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Suemi Kamoi Kay
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
| | - Rosana Herminia Scola
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares, Curitiba PR, Brazil
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Tacrolimus as Single-Agent Immunotherapy and Minimal Manifestation Status in Nonthymoma Myasthenia Gravis. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9138548. [PMID: 34845439 PMCID: PMC8627335 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9138548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tacrolimus is a second-line immunosuppressant in myasthenia gravis (MG) therapy, which is mainly used in combination with corticosteroids to reduce steroid dose and maintain the effect of immunotherapy. However, few studies have focused on the effect of tacrolimus as single-agent immunotherapy on achieving minimal manifestation status (MMS). Thus, this study is aimed at exploring the efficacy and influencing factors of tacrolimus as single-agent immunotherapy in MG. Methods Clinical data of 75 nonthymoma MG patients treated with tacrolimus single-agent as initial immunotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status. Clinical factors affecting the achievement of MMS and treatment reactivity of different MG subtypes were determined by Cox regression analysis. Results Tacrolimus was generally safe, with only two patients (2.7%) switching medications due to side effects. 32% of patients had improved symptoms after 1 month of treatment. 69.2% of patients achieved MMS or better after one year. The age < 39 years old, QMG score < 11 points, and AChR − Ab titer < 8.07 nmol/L were indicative of a favorable response, which was independent of gender, course of the disease. As for MG subtypes, ocular and seronegative MG showed better treatment sensitivity. Conclusions Tacrolimus as single-agent immunotherapy takes effect quickly and can effectively enable nonthymoma MG patients to achieve MMS. Tacrolimus can be used alone for the initial immunotherapy of MG patients, especially for young, mild, and low antibody titer patients.
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Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis following corticosteroid treatment: what is the evidence? A systematic review. J Neurol 2020; 268:4573-4586. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Nagappa M, Mahadevan A, Gangadhar Y, Patil SA, Bokolia S, Bindu PS, Sinha S, Taly AB. Autoantibodies in acquired myasthenia gravis: Clinical phenotype and immunological correlation. Acta Neurol Scand 2019; 139:428-437. [PMID: 30693486 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on antibody profile in myasthenia gravis (MG) from India are limited. OBJECTIVES To investigate antibody profile in patients with MG and their clinical correlates. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients of MG (n = 85, M:F::1.1:1, mean age: 39.29 ± 17.3 years, mean symptom duration: 72.94 ± 91.8 months) were evaluated for clinical features, MG foundation of America (MGFA) score, response to treatment, and outcome at last follow-up. Antibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MUSK), titin and ryanodine receptor (RYR) were analysed using ELISA. RESULTS Based on the regional distribution of weakness, the cohort could be categorized as: generalized: 60, ocular: 16 and oculo-bulbar: 9. Sixty patients were followed up for a mean duration of 26.74 ± 13.8 months. Outcome at last follow-up was as follows: remission-22, no remission-33 and dead-5. AChR and MUSK antibodies were detected in 58 and 8 patients, respectively. Frequency of generalized MG, worse MGFA score during the disease course and thymomatous histology significantly correlated with presence of AChR-antibodies, though outcome at last follow-up was comparable between AChR-antibody positive and negative groups. Patients with MUSK antibodies had oculo-bulbar or generalized MG and frequent respiratory crisis, but majority improved or remitted with treatment. Titin antibodies were detected in 31.8% and RYR antibodies in 32.9%. Their presence did not correlate with age at onset of MG, severity or presence of thymoma. CONCLUSION This report highlights the spectrum of antibodies in MG in an Indian cohort. AChR-antibody positivity correlated with clinical severity. Outcome was good in majority of MUSK antibody-positive MG. The role of other antibodies, complementary vs epiphenomenon, remains open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Nagappa
- Department of Neurology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
- Neuromuscular Laboratory (NML) Neurobiology Research Centre (NBRC) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Anita Mahadevan
- Neuromuscular Laboratory (NML) Neurobiology Research Centre (NBRC) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
- Department of Neuropathology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Yashwanth Gangadhar
- Neuromuscular Laboratory (NML) Neurobiology Research Centre (NBRC) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
- Department of Neuropathology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Shripad A. Patil
- Department of Neuromicrobiology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Suresh Bokolia
- Department of Neuromicrobiology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Parayil S. Bindu
- Department of Neurology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
- Neuromuscular Laboratory (NML) Neurobiology Research Centre (NBRC) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Sanjib Sinha
- Department of Neurology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
| | - Arun B. Taly
- Department of Neurology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
- Neuromuscular Laboratory (NML) Neurobiology Research Centre (NBRC) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Bangalore India
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Concurrent inflammatory myopathy and myasthenia gravis with or without thymic pathology: A case series and literature review. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2019; 48:745-751. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Galassi G, Mazzoli M, Ariatti A, Kaleci S, Valzania F, Nichelli PF. Antibody profile may predict outcome in ocular myasthenia gravis. Acta Neurol Belg 2018; 118:435-443. [PMID: 29858757 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-018-0943-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An unsolved issue remains whether there are clinical and immunological features to predict in a single patient the risk of conversion from ocular Myasthenia Gravis (OMG) to generalized disease (GMG) as 50-60% of patients may progress within 1-2 years since onset. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR Abs) are found in up to 50% of OMG patients; muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies (MuSK-Abs) are present in about 70% of the whole seronegative (SN), who usually develop a severe disease with bulbar involvement. We surveyed a cohort of 175 OMG patients with purely ocular symptoms and we compare the outcome of patients with antibodies to AChR or to MuSK with those seronegative for both Abs (DSN). All patients had purely ocular signs for at least 24 months. Gender, age at onset, time to generalization or to worsening in quantitative ocular QMG scores, electrophysiological results were analyzed. Males were 58.9%, females 41.1%. Patients with late onset of symptoms after 50 years (LOMG) were 78.3%. We assayed anti-MuSK-Abs in 4.7%, anti-AChR Abs in 38.5%; 57.3% were defined DSN. Thirty-seven patients (21.1%) progressed to GMG during the observational time: 23 were females, 62% of the whole group of the generalized subjects, 75% of MuSK-positive OMG converted to GMG versus the 26.2% of AChR positive and 13.7% of DSN. Statistical analysis showed that gender and presence of antibodies either to AChR or to MuSK were independent predictors of worse outcome; the DSN subjects had lower risk of conversion to GMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Galassi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
| | - Marco Mazzoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ariatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Shaniko Kaleci
- Department of Diagnostic Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Franco Valzania
- Department of Neurology, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo F Nichelli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
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Mazzoli M, Ariatti A, Valzania F, Kaleci S, Tondelli M, Nichelli PF, Galassi G. Factors affecting outcome in ocular myasthenia gravis. Int J Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28625092 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2017.1344237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY 50%-60% of patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) progress to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) within two years. The aim of our study was to explore factors affecting prognosis of OMG and to test the predictive role of several independent clinical variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed a cohort of 168 Caucasian patients followed from September 2000 to January 2016. Several independent variables were considered as prognostic factors: gender, age of onset, results on electrophysiological tests, presence and level of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR Abs), treatments, thymic abnormalities. The primary outcome was the progression to GMG and/or the presence of bulbar symptoms. Secondary outcomes were either achievement of sustained minimal manifestation status or worsening in ocular quantitative MG subscore (O-QMGS) or worsening in total QMG score (T-QMGS), assessed by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) quantitative scores. Changes in mental and physical subscores of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed with SF-36 questionnaire. Variance analysis was used to interpret the differences between AChR Ab titers at different times of follow up among the generalized and non-generalized patients. RESULTS Conversion to GMG occurred in 18.4% of patients; it was significantly associated with sex, later onset of disease and anti-AChR Ab positivity. Antibody titer above the mean value of 25.8 pmol/mL showed no significant effect on generalization. Sex and late onset of disease significantly affected T-QMGS worsening. None of the other independent variables significantly affected O-QMGS and HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS Sex, later onset and anti-AChR Ab positivity were significantly associated with clinical worsening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mazzoli
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
| | - Alessandra Ariatti
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
| | - Franco Valzania
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
| | - Shaniko Kaleci
- b Department of Diagnostic Clinical Medicine and Public Health , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy
| | - Manuela Tondelli
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
| | - Paolo F Nichelli
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
| | - Giuliana Galassi
- a Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences , University Hospital , Modena , Italy
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Lozowska D, Ringel SP, Winder TL, Liu J, Liewluck T. Anticholinesterase Therapy Worsening Head Drop and Limb Weakness Due to a Novel DOK7 Mutation. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2015; 17:72-77. [PMID: 26583494 DOI: 10.1097/cnd.0000000000000095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Dok-7 myasthenia is an autosomal recessive congenital myasthenic syndrome due to DOK7 mutations. Anticholinesterase therapy is ineffective and may worsen the weakness in patients with Dok-7 myasthenia or few other forms of congenital myasthenic syndromes. We describe a 31-year-old man previously diagnosed with seronegative myasthenia gravis. Repetitive stimulation of the right spinal accessory nerve showed 51% decrement. Needle electromyography revealed myopathic changes in clinically affected muscles. Muscle biopsy was normal. The patient was referred to us for worsening weakness after taking pyridostigmine. We searched for DOK7 mutations and identified compound heterozygous mutations of a common c.1124_1127dupTGCC mutation and a novel splice site mutation, c.772+2_+4delinsCCGGGCAGGCGGGCA. Discontinuation of pyridostigmine improved weakness. He further regained strength with oral albuterol therapy and decrement was reduced to 25%. Worsening of symptoms with anticholinesterase therapy in patients with "seronegative myasthenia gravis" should prompt clinicians to consider a possibility of congenital myasthenic syndromes to avoid unnecessary use of immunosuppressive therapy. Patients with Dok-7 myasthenia respond well to oral albuterol treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Lozowska
- *Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; †Prevention Genetics, Marshfield, WI; and ‡Invitae Corporation, San Francisco, CA
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Ariatti A, Stefani M, Miceli P, Benuzzi F, Galassi G. Prognostic factors and health-related quality of life in ocular Myasthenia Gravis (OMG). Int J Neurosci 2013; 124:427-35. [PMID: 24228829 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.853664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We evaluate the factors predictive of prognosis in 91 Caucasian patients affected by ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG), followed at our Institution during an observational time, ranging from 12 to 240 months. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification was used to grade the disease severity. We considered as outcome measures the variation in two subscores, ocular (O-QMG) and nonocular (NO-QMG); the last one reflected bulbar, neck, extremity functions. None of the independent variables evaluated for association with the outcome, as age of onset, type of therapy, length of interval between first and last examinations, and presence of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChR-Abs) significantly affected the evolution of O-QMG and of NO-QMG. Health-related quality of life (HRQol) was assessed in 63 patients. Variations of diplopia or ptosis did not affect significantly physical (PCS) or mental composite subscores (MCS) of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping was studied to explore whether HLA class I and II allelic distribution differed among MG patients and controls. None of the studied HLA alleles significantly differed between OMG patients and controls. Similarly, none of the alleles with frequencies higher than 15% either in OMG patients or in controls was significantly associated, after Bonferroni correction, with the presence or absence of anti-AChR-Abs in serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ariatti
- Department of Neurosciences, and Department of Onco-Haematology, University Hospitals of Modena & Reggio Emilia , Italy
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Sawa N, Kataoka H, Eura N, Ueno S. Dropped head with positive intravenous edrophonium, progressing to myasthenia gravis. BMJ Case Rep 2013; 2013:bcr-2012-007616. [PMID: 23376659 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
'Dropped head syndrome' (DHS) may be associated with a variety of neurological diseases. The absence of neurological clues to the underlying cause of DHS can make management particularly challenging. We review six patients who presented with only DHS, responded to intravenous edrophonium and turned out to have myasthenia gravis (MG) including similar patients who were previously documented. Six patients presented with neck weakness and three had bulbar symptoms. Acetylcholine receptor (AchR) was positive in four patients. One patient had thymoma. The interval from the onset of DH to the presentation of typical MG features was shorter in patients who tested positive for anti-Ach antibody (1-2 months) than in patients who tested negative for anti-AchR antibody (13 months, 4 years). Our results suggest that patients with DHS responding to intravenous edrophonium might turn out to have MG and such patients might respond to a combination of anticholinesterase agents and steroids.
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In response to “current approach to seronegative myasthenia” by Z. Argov. J Neurol 2011; 258:164-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-010-5826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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