Antibodies to skeletal muscle in myasthenia gravis. Part 3. Relation with clinical course and therapy.
Fluctuations of anti skeletal muscle antibodies (AMA) were studied in relation to clinical changes and fluctuations in anti acetylcholine receptor antibodies (a-AChR). Forty-two patients with generalized myasthenia gravis were studied in clinical and serological follow-up during several years under various conditions. Results from this study demonstrate that AMA fluctuate in strong relation to a-AChR, clinical course and immunosuppressive therapy. Thymomectomy resulted in an increase or de novo appearance of AMA in 10 of the 12 patients who did not receive immunosuppressive medication.
Kuks
J B
JB
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Limburg
P C
PC
Horst
G
G
Oosterhuis
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic