SERONEGATIVE MYASTHENIA-GRAVIS AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION - RESPONSE TO INTRAVENOUS GAMMA-GLOBULIN AND PREDNISONE

Background: There are only rare reports of myasthenia gravis complicat ing human immunodeficiency virus infection. The role of immunomodulato ry therapy is unknown. Methods: Case report and literature review. Res ults: The diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection followed that of myasthenia gravis in a 35-year-old man. Clinical and electrop hysiological features were diagnostic of generalized myasthenia gravis but two edrophonium chloride tests and acetylcholine receptor antibod ies were negative, Prednisone therapy and intravenous gamma globulin w ere associated with rapid clinical recovery. Conclusions: Prednisone t herapy and intravenous gamma globulin may be helpful in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis complicating HIV infection.