Association of Myasthenia Gravis and Antisynthetase Syndrome: A Case Report

• Published in: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology 2004-09, Vol.17 (3), p.395-399
• Main Authors: Diaco, M., Ancarani, F., Montalto, M., Verrecchia, E., Evoli, A., Servidei, S., Gasbarrini, G., Manna, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antibodies, Antinuclear - immunology; Arthritis - drug therapy; Arthritis - pathology; Autoimmune Diseases - complications; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - pathology; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Ligases - immunology; Lung - pathology; Middle Aged; Myasthenia Gravis - complications; Myasthenia Gravis - drug therapy; Myasthenia Gravis - pathology; Polymyositis - complications; Polymyositis - drug therapy; Polymyositis - pathology; Raynaud Disease - drug therapy; Raynaud Disease - pathology; Respiratory Function Tests; Syndrome
• ISSN: 0394-6320; 2058-7384
• DOI: 10.1177/039463200401700320

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic disease of neuromuscular transmission caused by loss of acetylcholine receptors. It can be found in association with other autoimmune disorders. We report the case of a 47-yr-old woman affected by Myasthenia gravis who complained of fever, progressive weakness of proximal limb muscle, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon and dyspnea. Chest X-rays and CT scan showed an interstitial lung disease; laboratory data indicated an inflammatory picture and increased serum muscle enzymes. Evaluation for infectious, metabolic, iatrogenic and neoplastic aetiologies was unrevealing. The patient's clinical condition together with positive results on antisynthetase antibody assay lead to the diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the association of Myasthenia gravis with antisynthetase syndrome.