Chloroquine myopathy and myasthenia-like syndrome.
A young woman on chronic corticosteroid treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus developed a myasthenia-like syndrome 7 weeks after starting chloroquine therapy. Discontinuation of chloroquine allowed symptomatic and immunological remission within 6 months. Ocular symptoms reappeared following a second short course of chloroquine. A motor-point biopsy revealed a vacuolar myopathy with membranous bodies in intramuscular nerves. We discuss the possible role of chloroquine in the pathogenesis of a myasthenia-like syndrome.
Sghirlanzoni
A
A
Department of Neurology, Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
Mantegazza
R
R
Mora
M
M
Pareyson
D
D
Cornelio
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D002738:Chloroquine