Euro-Myasthenia III 3.1 3.2 FAMILIAL OCCURENCE OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS AND POLYMYOSITIS/DElWATOMYOSITIS IN THREE CASES. O.Sinanovic 1 , S. Apostolski' and S.DoiiC 31 . Neurology Clinic, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, 2 Neurology Clinic, 3 Institute of Pathology, University of Beograd, Yugoslavia. The co-association of myasthenia gravis (MG) and other autoimune diseases is frequently reported. Familial cases are also reported in both the acquired and the congenital forms of MG, but relatively rare and more frequently in the latter type of the diseases. We describe a familial accurence of generalized MG and polymyositls /dermatomyositis (PM/DM) in three siblings. The simultaneous occurante of MG and PM/DM was establisted clinically, histologically, pharmacologically and electromyo- graphically. All cases were treated with anticholinestrase drugs and corticostoreids with relatively good response. The thymectomywas performed in one case resulting in progressive improvement of weakness,fatigability and reduction of muscle pain. We tried to find common imunogenetic predisposition for described associated disorders. PRESENCE OF ANTI-ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODIES IN HUMAN MILK, POSSIBLE CORRELATION WITH NEONATAL MG. T. Brenner, R. Shahin, I. Steiner and 0. Abramsky. Hadassah University Hospital, POBox 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis (MG) develops in up to 15% of the offspring of women with MG. It is generally attributed to transplacental transfer of anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Recently, we detected by direct radioimmunoassay the presence of high titers of anti-AChR antibodies in the colostrum and the milk of two myasthenic mothers. Maternal and umbilical cord sera also contained high levels of these antibodies. Milk from sero- negative MG mother and control milk samples from healthy mothers were negative for these antibodies. The anti-AChR antibodies found in colostrum and milk were of the IgG isotype, while the amount of IgA. IgG and IgM in the milk were within normal range. and The ability of IgG other immunocompetent factors to retain their activity following gastrointestinal absorption is facilitated in neonates. Our studies, as well as others have documented enteric transfer of experimental autoimmune disorders or resistance to them. This report is the first to describe the presence of anti-AChR antibodies in colostrum and milk of myasthenic mothers. We therefore recommend that the milk of MG mothers should be checked for anti-AChR antibodies and that breast-feeding by myasthenic mothers should be considered with caution.

Presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in human milk, possible correlation with neonatal MG

Download PDF Report

Upload
vuphuc
View
216
Download
1

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in human milk, possible correlation with neonatal MG

Euro-Myasthenia III

3.1

3.2

FAMILIAL OCCURENCE OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS AND POLYMYOSITIS/DElWATOMYOSITIS IN THREE

CASES. O.Sinanovic 1 , S. Apostolski' and S.DoiiC

31 . Neurology Clinic, University

of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, 2 Neurology Clinic,

3 Institute of Pathology, University of

Beograd, Yugoslavia.

The co-association of myasthenia gravis (MG) and other autoimune diseases is

frequently reported. Familial cases are also reported in both the acquired and the

congenital forms of MG, but relatively rare and more frequently in the latter type

of the diseases. We describe a familial accurence of generalized MG and polymyositls

/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) in three siblings. The simultaneous occurante of MG and

PM/DM was establisted clinically, histologically, pharmacologically and electromyo-

graphically. All cases were treated with anticholinestrase drugs and corticostoreids

with relatively good response. The thymectomy was performed in one case resulting

in progressive improvement of weakness,fatigability and reduction of muscle pain.

We tried to find common imunogenetic predisposition for described associated

disorders.

PRESENCE OF ANTI-ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODIES IN HUMAN MILK, POSSIBLE CORRELATION WITH NEONATAL MG. T. Brenner, R. Shahin, I. Steiner and 0. Abramsky. Hadassah University Hospital, POBox 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.

Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis (MG) develops in up to 15% of the offspring of women with MG. It is generally attributed to transplacental transfer of anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Recently, we detected by direct radioimmunoassay the presence of high titers of anti-AChR antibodies in the colostrum and the milk of two myasthenic mothers. Maternal and umbilical cord sera also contained high levels of these antibodies. Milk from sero- negative MG mother and control milk samples from healthy mothers were negative for these antibodies. The anti-AChR antibodies found in colostrum and milk were of the IgG isotype, while the amount of IgA. IgG and IgM in the milk were within normal range. and

The ability of IgG other immunocompetent factors to retain their activity following

gastrointestinal absorption is facilitated in neonates. Our studies, as well as others have documented enteric transfer of experimental autoimmune disorders or resistance to them. This report is the first to describe the presence of anti-AChR antibodies in colostrum and milk of myasthenic mothers. We therefore recommend that the milk of MG mothers should be checked for anti-AChR antibodies and that breast-feeding by myasthenic mothers should be considered with caution.