Muscle-specific kinase antibody positive myaesthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis co-presentation: a case report and literature review

J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Nov 15;264(1-2):130-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.08.016. Epub 2013 Aug 31.

Abstract

We present the first case of simultaneous muscle-specific kinase antibody positive myaesthenia gravis and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to be reported in the English literature along with the inherent diagnostic and treatment challenges. There may be an association between myaesthenia and central nervous system demyelination. We identified 72 previously published cases of myaesthenia with central nervous system demyelination. Of 19 cases of myaesthenia with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, nine (47%) were acetylcholine receptor antibody negative, but there were no previously published cases with muscle-specific kinase antibody. Further research is required to clarify this association and optimal treatment in such cases.

Keywords: Demyelination; Multiple sclerosis; Muscle-specific kinase antibody; Myaesthenia gravis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis / blood*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • MUSK protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases