Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis in a patient after interferon-beta treatment for chronic active hepatitis C

We report the case of a 53-year-old female patient, who developed bilateral blepharoptosis, limb weakness, dysphagia, and dyspnea several days after h uman natural interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment for chronic active hepati tis C. A positive edrophonium test, an elevated anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer, and decrements in the amplitude of muscle action potential s evoked by repetitive stimulation confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gr avis (MG). Since she had been suffering from drooping of her right eyelid, fluctuating diplopia and easy fatiguability of limbs before receiving IFN-b eta, her symptoms of MG were considered to be exacerbated by IFN-beta. It i s recommended that IFN-beta should be used with particular care in patients with known MG or its compatible symptoms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.