Single-fiber electromyography in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis.
The sensitivity of stimulated single-fiber electromyography in the detection of early abnormalities in neuromuscular transmission in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) was tested. Increased jitter and blocking were seen up to 3 weeks before clinical illness or decrement developed. Stimulation at 10 Hz appeared more sensitive in detection of abnormalities than stimulation at 3 or 5 Hz. Jitter values did not correlate with anti-Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR), nor with anti-rat AChR antibody titer. No correlation was found between jitter and AChR loss or AChR-antibody complexes in muscle. It is concluded that, in addition to AChR loss and the presence of AChR-antibody complexes, other factors must determine the neuromuscular dysfunction in EAMG and possibly myasthenia gravis.
Verschuuren
J J
JJ
Department of Immunology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Spaans
F
F
De Baets
M H
MH
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic