Autoimmune ganglionic blockade. A cause of autonomic failure. Focus on "Experimental Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy"

Ross syndrome with ana positivity: a clue to possible autoimmune origin and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin

A 28-year-old serving soldier presented with patchy areas of absence of sweating and blurring of vision. On examination he was found to have segmental anhidrosis, right sided tonic pupil and absent ankle jerks. Investigations revealed ANA positivity with no other abnormalities. He was treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin. This case of Ross syndrome is reported for its rarity as well as a clue to its probable autoimmune origin and treatment option with intravenous immunoglobulins.

Holmes-Adie syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis and celiac disease: A case report

A 35-year-old female patient presented with the following symptoms of Holmes-Adie syndrome: photophobia, enlargement of the left pupil unresponsive to light, Achilles areflexia. The pilocarpine test was positive. No tumor or other neurological abnormality was found. She had a 19-year history of autoimmune hepatitis. Flares up were observed following each 3 deliveries. At age of 31 she presented with diarrhea and weight loss. Abdominal tumor was detected by ultrasound. The surgically removed tumor was histologically a benign mesenteric multicystic lymphangioma. Simultaneously, celiac disease was diagnosed. Gluten-free diet resulted in a significant improvement of celiac disease, but not of autoimmune hepatitis. Autonomic neuropathy was proven by standard cardiovascular tests. The patient was a homozygous carrier for HLA DQ2 antigen characteristic for celiac disease and heterozygous for HLA DR3 B8 frequent in autoimmune liver diseases. Our novel observation on association of Holmes-Adie syndrome with autoimmune hepatitis and celiac disease is suggestive for a common immunological background for all three entities present in a patient with mesenteric multicystic lymphangioma.