title: Seronegative myasthenia gravis and Graves' disease. Is there a link?
abstract: Graves' disease (GD) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are common autoimmune diseases but their coexistence is very rare. They may possibly share the same pathogenetic mechanisms. Recent research has shown the involvement of autoantibodies, lymphocytes, cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of MG and GD. It appears that Th17 cell lineage is involved in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and seems to be key factor in the development of both MG and GD.A 34-year-old male with seronegative myasthenia gravis due to thymic hyperplasia was diagnosed with also GD and opthalmopathy. Several diagnostic and therapeutic issues regarding the relevant literature are discussed.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Alexandra General Hospital, Vas Sophias 80, Athens, Greece. antonispolymeris@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polymeris
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karoutsou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doumouchtsis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013934:Thymectomy; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; C060347:lanreotide; D013004:Somatostatin