Myasthenia Gravis – MG

Definition

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease in which antibodies attached to acetylcholine receptors which is critical factor for relation between nerve and muscles.

The main symptom is weakness of skeletal muscles, talking problems, problems lifting objects or arising stairs. The weakness typically increases with exercise and repetitive muscle use (fatigue) and varies over the course of a day and from day to day.

Lab tests

Autoantibodies:

• Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies: There are three types of AChR antibodies: binding (most frequently tested), blocking, and modulating.
• Anti-MuSK (muscle-specific kinase) antibodies
• Anti-striated muscle antibodies
• Titin antibodies: Rheumatoid factor (RF)
• Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP)
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
• Thyroid paneland thyroid antibodies

Immunogenetic test:

• HLA-A1, B8, DR3, HLA-Bw35/DR1 (induced by penicillamine)