A case with myasthenia gravis (MG) emerging after splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): possible effects of thymectomy on autoantibodies.

Abstract

The combination of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and myasthenia gravis (MG) has been reported infrequently. We report here the development of MG in a patient who underwent splenectomy for ITP ten years earlier, and describe the serum levels of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (anti-AchR) and platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) followed over 11 years. The concentrations of both autoantibodies have been decreased after thymectomy, suggesting that this procedure is potentially beneficial for treating both MG and ITP.

• Authors: S Matsuno, A Tamaoka, K Yoshizawa, M Watanabe, S Shoji
• Journal: Journal of medicine (J Med) Vol. 31 Issue 5-6 Pg. 327-32 ( 2000) ISSN: 0025-7850 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11508326 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Autoantibodies
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Prednisolone
• Pyridostigmine Bromide

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Autoantibodies (blood)
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Humans
• Male
• Myasthenia Gravis (drug therapy, etiology, immunology, surgery)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (complications, drug therapy, immunology, surgery)
• Pyridostigmine Bromide (therapeutic use)
• Splenectomy
• Thymectomy