intrinsic-factor and Myasthenia-Gravis

The association of myasthenia and Biermer's anemia is very rarely reported. In a series of 138 cases of myasthenia, this association was found in only one patient, in whom the anemia developed 19 years after the discovery of a calcified thymoma and 13 years after the appearance of the first signs of myasthenia. This led the authors to conduct a prospective study for the presence of intrinsic antifactor antibodies. A total of 81 patients (20 men and 61 women) with myasthenia were studied. The myasthenia had appeared after 35 years of age in 40 patients and 19 had a thymoma. The results of the study for the antibodies was positive in 3 women, as was the test of inhibition of leucocyte migration, but none of them had anemia, vitamin B12 malabsorption, achlorhydria, or gastric atrophy. The discovery of these immunological disorders raises the problem of their significance ; two hypotheses can be discussed : pre-Biermer state or immunological disturbance without pathogenetic significance. The problem can probably only be resolved by studying these antibody levels in a very much larger number of patients with myasthenia.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anemia, Pernicious; Antibodies; Female; Humans; Intrinsic Factor; Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; Male; Middle Aged; Myasthenia Gravis; Prospective Studies; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease often associated with other autoimmune disorders. A case history of MG with a coexisting atypical megaloblastic anaemia with vitamin B12 deficiency and anti Intrinsic Factor (IF) antibodies, led to a study of humoral and cellular immunity to IF in 81 MG patients. Within this series, 3 other patients had a disturbed humoral and cellular immunity to IF. These 3 patients presented no other features of pernicious anaemia. The possible origins and significance of the anti IF antibodies in MG patients are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Child; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunologic Techniques; Intrinsic Factor; Male; Middle Aged; Myasthenia Gravis; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Autoimmune Diseases; Humans; Intrinsic Factor; Male; Myasthenia Gravis; Myxedema

Topics: Anemia, Pernicious; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Basement Membrane; Complement System Proteins; Erythrocytes; gamma-Globulins; Glomerulonephritis; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Intrinsic Factor; Iodine Isotopes; Long-Acting Thyroid Stimulator; Myasthenia Gravis; Organ Specificity; Thyrotropin; Vitamin B 12