EVALUATION OF MYOSIN-REACTIVE ANTIBODIES FROM A PANEL OF MYASTHENIA-GRAVIS PATIENTS

In the study described below, 97 myasthenia gravis (MG) patients have been evaluated for antibody reactivity against muscle myosin. With few exceptions, we could clearly observe a positive correlation between t he presence of circulating serum anti-myosin antibodies and disease se verity. Unlike some studies of anti-striational antibodies in MG patie nts, no association with thymoma was apparent. Moreover, no relationsh ips were revealed between the severity of disease symptoms demonstrate d and absolute anti-myosin antibody titers or prominent IgG subclasses . Therefore, we suggest that expression of myosin reactivity may be on e useful parameter for predicting disease severity in those patients, but it is not prerequisite for induction of MG. (C) 1991 Academic Pres s, Inc.