Clinical Characteristics of Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis

Roh, Hakjae

Korean Journal of Neuromuscular Disorders 2009;1(1):66-71.

Hakjae Roh

Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

혈청 음성 중증근무력증의 임상적 특징

노학재

순천향대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Abstract

15~20% of patients with myasthenia gravis who have no anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibody have antibodies to muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) and about 5% have neither anti-AchR nor anti-MuSK antibodies. Exact understandings of their clinical manifestations and action mechanisms of antibodies have been still unclear. Detection of anti-MuSK antibody defines a rare form of myasthenia gravis, but it may be difficult to diagnose. An improved antibody-detection assay would be helpful in patients without AchR or MuSK antibodies. The conventional therapy may not respond well to patients who have this antibody. So, it can be life threatening and may require additional treatments. We review recent studies on anti-MuSK antibody associated with myasthenia gravis, and summarize the results of new management of myasthenia gravis.