眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的临床相关因素分析

目的 :探讨眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的临床相关预测因素。方法 :33例初诊为眼肌型重症肌无力的患者经过3年随访,根据疾病进展结局分为眼肌型重症肌无力组(13例)和进展为全身型重症肌无力组(20例)。对与疾病进展可能相关的临床因素进行分析。结果 :进展为全身型重症肌无力组患者初诊时的定量重症肌无力评分、乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性率、抗核抗体阳性率、合并胸腺瘤的比例以及合并糖尿病的比例均高于眼肌型重症肌无力组(P值均0.05)。结论 :定量重症肌无力评分高、乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性、抗核抗体阳性以及合并胸腺瘤和糖尿病可能是眼肌型重症肌无力进展为全身型重症肌无力的预测指标。     

Ocular myasthenia gravis in a senior population: Diagnosis,therapy, and prognosis

The objectives of this study were (I) to explore the prognosis of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) in patients with onset at age 70 years and above (i.e. senior persons); (2) to identify predictors of secondary generalization in this age group; and 3) to address the effects of immunotherapy on this population of patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of 39 patients with myasthenia gravis who presented with only ocular signs and symptoms after age 70 years. Generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) developed in 12 OMG patients (31%). None of the GMG patients required ventilator assistance or a feeding tube. Of the 12 ocular patients progressing to GMG, only one (8%) received immunotherapy prior to generalization. Of those OMG patients who did not progress to GMG, 52% received immunomodulatory therapy. Our senior OMG patients had a prognosis comparable with those of the published data for younger individuals. Although the presence of increased acetylceholine receptor antibody titers and occasionally abnormal repetitive nerve stimulation were useful tools to diagnose OMG, no test was predictive of later generalization. Senior onset OMG patients who received immunotherapy less frequently developed GMG than those not so treated. Muscle Nerve, 2010     

眼肌型及全身型重症肌无力患者外周血T淋巴细胞Fas的表达

目的 探讨Fas介导的细胞凋亡与眼肌型(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)及全身型重症肌无力(generalized myasthenia gravis,GMG)发病的关系.方法 采用流式细胞技术检测4例OMG、13例GMG患者及13例健康对照组外周血淋巴细胞中CD4、CD8及Fas的表达.结果 OMG、GMG组与对照组外周血T淋巴细胞表面CD4、CD8分子表达的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).GMG组与对照组外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas+细胞比例的差异有统计学意义(41.72%±8.73%、31.22%±13.00%,P:0.017).GMG组与对照组Fas表达增高者比例的差异有统计学意义(61.5%、15,4%,P=0.041).Fas表达增高的GMG患者病情较重.病程较长.胸腺瘤发生率较高.OMG与GMG组外周血T淋巴细胞中Fa8+、CD4+Fas+、CD8+Fas+细胞比例差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 GMG患者外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas的表达升高,OMG与GMG患者外周血T淋巴细胞中Fas的表达无显著差异,二者可能同属一种系统性疾病.     

Ocular myasthenia gravis: predictive value of single-fiber electromyography.

Extraocular muscle weakness is the most common presenting sign of myasthenia gravis (MG). More than half of patients presenting with symptoms isolated to these muscles (OMG) develop generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) over the course of their illness. No clinical, laboratory, or electrophysiological features are recognized that identify these high-risk patients. We have therefore assessed the ability of single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) to predict the development of GMG in patients presenting with OMG. Thirty-nine consecutive patients presenting with OMG underwent SFEMG of the extensor digitorum communis muscle as well as a battery of other laboratory and imaging studies at the time of diagnosis. All patients were followed prospectively for a minimum of 24 months or until they developed GMG. Two patients were excluded, leaving 37 for assessment. Twenty remained with pure OMG for the entire follow-up period (mean, 55 months). Twenty-six of the 37 had abnormal SFEMG studies at presentation. Eleven of these remained with OMG and 15 developed GMG. Fifty-eight percent of patients with an abnormal SFEMG developed GMG, whereas 82% of those with a normal study remained with OMG. Thus, a normal SFEMG was associated with MG remaining restricted to the extraocular muscles. (P = 0.036, Fisher's exact test), but an abnormal SFEMG was not predictive of subsequent development of GMG.     

Low conversion rate of ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis in Singapore

Introduction: Ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) is a common condition of the neuromuscular junction that may convert to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG). Our aim in this study was to determine the conversion rate and predictive factors for generalization in OMG, in an Asian population. Methods: The investigation consisted of a retrospective study of OMG patients with a minimum 2 years of follow‐up. Results: Among 191 patients with OMG, 155 had the minimum 2‐year follow‐up. The conversion rate at median follow‐up (40.8 months) was 10.6% (95% confidence interval 7.9%–13.3%), and at the 2‐year follow‐up it was 7.7% (95% confidence interval 5.6%–9.8%). At baseline, the predictive factors for generalization were positive acetylcholine receptor antibodies (hazard ratio 3.71, P = 0.024), positive repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) studies (hazard ratio 4.42, P = 0.003), and presence of radiologically presumed or pathologically confirmed thymoma (hazard ratio 3.10, P = 0.013). Discussion: The conversion rate of OMG to GMG in Asian patients is low, as predicted by presence of acetylcholine receptor antibodies, presence of thymoma, and positive RNS studies. Muscle Nerve 57 : 756–760, 2018     

Ocular myasthenia gravis: treatment successes and failures in patients with long-term follow-up

We previously reported that prednisone reduced the frequency of generalized myasthenia (GMG) and controlled diplopia without major adverse effects at 2 years in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG). Questions remain as to whether study subjects had long-standing disease, biasing results towards a steroid benefit, and if prednisone merely delayed GMG onset. Here, we performed a record review of a referral neuro-ophthalmology service OMG database for patients who were followed-up for ≥4 years or until GMG developed. We studied the effect of prednisone on GMG incidence and control of ocular symptoms. Generally, patients with diplopia were recommended for prednisone therapy. Most remained on daily 2.5–10 mg for diplopia control. We compared the results for prednisone-treated and “untreated” (pyridostigmine only) patients. Of 87 patients, 55 were in the prednisone-treated and 32 were in the untreated groups. GMG developed in 7 (13%) of the prednisone-treated (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.22–0.76) and in 16 (50%) of the untreated (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.68–4.60) patients. After OMG onset, GMG developed at a mean 5.8 and 0.22 years in prednisone and untreated groups. Diplopia was present at the last exam in 27% of the prednisone-treated (mean 7.2 years) and in 57% of the untreated (mean 4.6 years) OMG patients. For 48 prednisone-treated patients who did not develop GMG, OMG treatment failure occurred in 13. Thus, prednisone delays the onset of GMG and has sustained benefit in reducing the incidence of GMG and controlling diplopia. Without prednisone, GMG develops in 50% of OMG patients, typically within 1 year.     

Myasthenia gravis and HLA antigens in American blacks and other races

The association of HLA B8 and DR3 with generalised adult onset myasthenia gravis (GMG) in European Caucasoids is now well established. Studies of the HLA association with myasthenia gravis (MG) in other races might help to determine the location of a critical disease locus. Some previous studies in Japanese, Thais, Asian Indians and Filipinos have been reported. In this study HLA A, B, C and DR typing on 28 American blacks with either GMG or ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) is reported. A significant increase in both HLA A1 and B8 was detected but there was an increase in DR5 rather than DR3. A review of the HLA antigen frequencies in other races and in D-penicillamine (D-Pen) induced MG suggests that prior claims implicating immune response genes marked by DR3 require review. It seems unlikely that any particular HLA allele is involved directly. Other possibly relevant combinations of alleles or supratypes are suggested. These may provide the basis for future studies of the immunogenetic basis for MG.     

小儿眼型重症肌无力向全身型转化的临床特点

目的 研究小儿眼型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)向全身型重症肌无力(generalized myasthenia gravis,GMG)的转型率、转型时间及使用泼尼松对转型的影响.方法 回顾性分析1977至2005年青岛大学医学院附属医院诊治的978例小儿OMG转变为GMG的转型率、转型时间以及泼尼松对转型的影响,并与同期诊治的1359例成人OMG患者进行对比分析.结果 小儿OMG转化为GMG的转型率为13.0%(127/978),而成人OMG的转型率为67.2%(913/1359),两组差异有统计学意义(χ2=674.17,P<0.01).OMG的转型时间大多在发病后的2年内,小儿OMG(58.3%,74/127)与成人OMG(83.6%,763/913)在发病后2年内转型的比率差异有统计学意义(χ2=45.39,P<0.01).使用泼尼松的456例小儿OMG患者中仅有5例(1.1%)转为GMG,而从未使用过泼尼松的522例小儿OMG患者中有122例(23.4%)变为GMG,差异有统计学意义(χ2=104.9,P<0.01).结论 小儿OMG转型率与成人OMG相比显著减少;转型的时间大多在发病后头2年内;泼尼松确实能减少小儿OMG向GMG转化的机会.     

重症肌无力患者汉密尔顿抑郁量表评分分析

目的探讨重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者汉密尔顿抑郁量表(Hamilton depression rating scale,HDRS)评分情况及其影响因素分析。方法横断面研究2013-07—2015-03作者医院就诊的188例MG患者的临床资料和HDRS评分情况,并根据HDRS评分将其分为抑郁组和非抑郁组,分析两组MG患者的临床特点及其与HDRS评分间的关系。结果所纳入MG患者男女比例为1.02∶1,眼肌型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)和全身型重症肌无力(generalized myasthenia gravis,GMG)的比例为1.2∶1,以OMG起病和以GMG起病患者的比例为6.2∶1,病程中位数为2年,四分位数间距为1.8年,平均量化重症肌无力评分(quantitative myasthenia gravis,QMG)为(6.7±2.3)分,平均HDRS评分为(8.7±3.4)分,并发抑郁者65例,未并发抑郁者123例。影响HDRS评分和抑郁发生的相关因素包括性别(P0.01)、MG类型(P0.01)、QMG得分(P0.01)和美国重症肌无力协会(myasthenia gravis foundation of America,MGFA)分型(P0.01)、有无甲状腺功能亢进(P0.05)。结论影响MG患者HDRS评分和抑郁发生的相关因素包括性别、MG类型、QMG评分和MGFA分型、有无甲状腺功能亢进,充分认识其抑郁发生情况有利于更好地治疗MG。     

The effect of prednisone on the progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis

Fifty percent of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) patients will progress to generalized myasthenia, 90% within 3 years from the onset of ocular symptoms. This study was performed to determine whether treatment with oral prednisone initiated and completed within 2 years from the onset of ocular symptoms would affect the progression of ocular myasthenia to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG). Fifty-six patients were included in this review, with 27 patients in the prednisone-treated group and 29 patients in the untreated group. The treated group was initiated on 60 mg of prednisone daily with a slow taper over 3-6 months. At 2 years, significantly fewer patients in the treated group (3 of 27) progressed to generalized myasthenia when compared to the untreated group (10 of 29) (chi(2), p=0.04). Our results suggest that the early use of steroids may decrease progression of ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis. The decision to use steroids should be considered early in the course of patients diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis. This study should be considered preliminary and a prospective trial is warranted to confirm our observations.     

重症肌无力患者外周血AIRE、Tfh细胞和Tfr细胞与病情严重性相关分析

目的探讨自身免疫性调节因子(AIRE)、滤泡辅助性T(Tfh)细胞和滤泡调节性T(Tfr)细胞与重症肌无力(MG)患者病情严重程度的相关性。方法收集2015-12—2016-4第四军医大学唐都医院收治的MG患者22例,根据临床表现分为全身型MG(GMG)和眼肌型MG(OMG);同期选取健康体检中心查体者10名作为健康对照。收集MG患者详细临床资料,包括美国MG协会(MGFA)分型及定量MG(QMG)评分。通过流式细胞术分析AIRE阳性细胞比例及Tfh/Tfr比值。结果 (1)AIRE表达在各组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。GMG组和OMG组AIRE表达均较对照组降低(P0.01,P0.05),而GMG组与OMG组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)Tfh/Tfr比值在各组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。GMG组和OMG组Tfh/Tfr比值均高于对照组(P0.01,P0.05),且GMG组高于OMG组(P0.05)。(3)MG患者AIRE表达与MGFA分型及QMG评分呈负相关(r=-0.517,P0.05;r=-0.616,P0.01),Tfh/Tfr比值与MGFA分型和QMG评分呈正相关(r=0.761,r=0.581,均P0.01)。结论 AIRE、Tfh/Tfr比值与MG的病情严重程度有一定的相关性,并可能参与了MG的发病。     

Clinical significance of detection of antibodies to fetal and adult acetylcholine receptors in myasthenia gravis

Objective To evaluate the frequency, distribution and clinical significance of the antibodies to the fetal and/or adult acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods AChR antibodies were detected by cell-based assay in the serum of ocular MG (OMG) (n = 90) and generalized MG (GMG) patients (n = 110). The fetal-type (2α: β: γ: δ) and adult-type (2α: β: ε: δ) AChR were used as antigens, and their relevance to disease presentation was assessed. Results The overall frequencies of anti-adult and anti-fetal AChR antibodies were similar in all 200 patients examined, with 14 having serum specific to the AChR-γ subunit, and 22 to the AChR-ε subunit. The overall sensitivity when using the fetal and adult AChR antibodies was higher than that when using the fetal AChR antibody only (P = 0.015). Compared with OMG patients, the mean age at disease onset and the positive ratio of antibodies to both isoforms of the AChR were significantly higher in patients who subsequently progressed to GMG. Older patients and patients with both anti-fetal and anti-adult AChR antibodies had a greater risk for developing generalized disease [odds ratio (OR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.06 and OR, 5.09; 95% CI, 2.23-11.62]. Conclusion Using both fetal-and adult-type AChRs as the antigens may be more sensitive than using either subtype. Patients with serum specific to both isoforms are at a greater risk of progressing to GMG. Patients with disease onset at an advanced age appear to have a higher frequency of GMG conversion.     

Expression of Immune Molecules CD25 and CXCL13 Correlated with Clinical Severity of Myasthenia Gravis

Differential expressions of immune molecules have been shown in the thymi with pathological results, including myasthenia gravis (MG). CD25 is an activation marker expressed on T cells. CXCL13 mediates the homing and motility of B cells in secondary lymphoid tissues. Herein, we investigated the expressions of CD25 and CXCL13 in the thymi of thymic hyperplasia patients with MG or with non-MG. A total of 34 thymic hyperplasia patients with MG (20 generalized MG (GMG) and 14 ocular MG (OMG) and six thymic hyperplasia patients without MG were enrolled and analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction for CD25 and CXCL13. Our study demonstrated a higher expression of both CD25 and CXCL13 in hyperplastic thymi with OMG or GMG compared to those with non-MG. According to the immunohistochemical results, we observed that CD25 expression was significantly lower in atrophic thymi and non-MG hyperplastic thymi, compared with that in infant thymi (P?=?0.002 and 0.005, respectively). In contrast to CD25 expression, we did not observe differential expression of CXCL13 among three control groups. And a similar CD25 mRNA expression was found in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. We observed that both hyperplastic thymi with OMG or GMG expressed significantly higher levels of CD25 than those with non-MG (P?=?0.007 and 0.001, respectively). And an increase of CD25 expression was observed in hyperplastic thymi with GMG compared to those with OMG (P?=?0.030). Similarly, CXCL13 expression was significantly higher in hyperplastic thymi with GMG or with OMG than those with non-MG (P?=?0.001 and 0.050, respectively). No significant CXCL13 expression difference was found between hyperplastic thymi with GMG and those with OMG (P?>?0.05). The real-time PCR results showed a similar tendency of CD25 mRNA expression among the thymi of non-MG, OMG, and GMG patients, but the difference did not reach significance (P?>?0.05). An obvious increased expression of CXCL13 was found in hyperplastic thymi with GMG patients, compared to those with non-MG and OMG patients (P?=?0.003 and 0.071, respectively). There was no difference found between hyperplastic thymi with non-MG and with OMG. Regression analysis showed a positive correlation between thymic CD25 level and MG symptom severity (F?=?28.240; P?=?0.000, r?=?0.523). Similarly, a positive correlation was found between thymic CXCL13 expression and MG disease severity (F?=?36.093; P?=?0.000, r?=?0.671). Taken together, our findings suggest CD25 and CXCL13 participate in the pathogenesis of MG and may influence the clinical symptoms of MG.     

Presence and pathogenic relevance of antibodies to clustered acetylcholine receptor in ocular and generalized myasthenia gravis

BACKGROUND Clustered acetylcholine receptor antibodies (clustered AChR-Abs) have been detected in a proportion of patients with previously "seronegative" (SN) generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG), but their presence in patients with ocular MG (OMG) and their pathogenicity in vivo are unknown. OBJECTIVE To test the presence of clustered AChR-Abs and their pathophysiologic properties in patients with SNMG. DESIGN Screening and diagnostic tests. SETTING Regional specialist myasthenia center and clinical laboratory. PATIENTS Serum samples from 16 patients with SN and OMG were tested for binding to clustered AChRs. Results from 28 further SN patients (14 OMG) were correlated with their single fiber electromyography values. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence, complement-fixation capacity, correlation with neurophysiologic changes, and in vivo pathogenicity of clustered AChR-Abs. RESULTS Up to 50% of patients with previous SN-OMG had complement-fixing IgG1 clustered AChR-Abs. IgG binding (n?=?28) and complement deposition (n?=?21) each correlated with the mean consecutive difference (jitter) on single-fiber electromyography. Injection of purified IgG from 2 patients with clustered AChR-Abs into wild-type or complement regulator-deficient mice reduced miniature end plate potential amplitudes to an extent similar to that found with AChR-Abs, and complement was deposited at the end plates. A trend was noted toward an increase in the number of packets of acetylcholine released (quantal content). CONCLUSIONS A proportion of patients with SN-GMG or OMG have clustered AChR-Abs that correlate with their electrophysiologic features. Clustered AChR-Abs can passively transfer disease to mice, demonstrating their pathogenicity, and the mechanisms seem similar to those of patients with typical AChR-Abs.     

放射免疫法定量检测乙酰胆碱受体抗体与重症肌无力患者临床特征的相关性

目的探讨乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AChR-Ab)与重症肌无力(MG)临床特征的相关性。方法采用放射免疫法检测115例MG患者及92例对照组(非MG神经系统疾病患者42例,健康体检者50名)血清AChRAb浓度,应用临床绝对评分记录MG患者病情严重程度。分析各组血清AChR-Ab浓度的差异,以及AChR-Ab浓度与MG患者临床特征的相关性。采用ROC工作特征曲线探讨AChR-Ab诊断MG的敏感度和特异度。结果MG患者血清AChR-Ab浓度中位数(四分位数间距,下同)为3.45(39.38)nmol/L,较非MG神经系统疾病患者[0(0)nmol/L]和健康体检者[0(0)nmol/L]增高(P0.01)。全身型MG(GMG)患者AChR-Ab浓度[25.45(46.14)nmol/L]较眼肌型MG(OMG)患者[0.58(3.56)nmol/L]增高(P0.01)。用ROC曲线法分析显示,以血清AChR-Ab浓度≥0.50nmol/L作为诊断MG界值时灵敏度为72.17%,特异度为100%,曲线下面积(AUC)=0.895(95%CI:0.849~0.941)。AChR-Ab浓度与发病年龄、病程及改良Osserman分型呈正相关(r=0.220,P0.05;r=0.184,P0.05;r=0.382,P0.01),但相关性较弱(均r0.5),与临床绝对记分无相关性(r=0.147,P0.05)。结论用放射免疫法检测血清AChR-Ab浓度诊断MG的灵敏度和特异度均高,有助于减少MG的漏诊率及误诊率,值得临床推广。     

Factors affecting outcome in ocular myasthenia gravis

Aim of the study: 50%–60% of patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) progress to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) within two years. The aim of our study was to explore factors affecting prognosis of OMG and to test the predictive role of several independent clinical variables.

Materials and methods: We reviewed a cohort of 168 Caucasian patients followed from September 2000 to January 2016. Several independent variables were considered as prognostic factors: gender, age of onset, results on electrophysiological tests, presence and level of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR Abs), treatments, thymic abnormalities. The primary outcome was the progression to GMG and/or the presence of bulbar symptoms. Secondary outcomes were either achievement of sustained minimal manifestation status or worsening in ocular quantitative MG subscore (O-QMGS) or worsening in total QMG score (T-QMGS), assessed by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) quantitative scores. Changes in mental and physical subscores of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed with SF-36 questionnaire. Variance analysis was used to interpret the differences between AChR Ab titers at different times of follow up among the generalized and non-generalized patients.

Results: Conversion to GMG occurred in 18.4% of patients; it was significantly associated with sex, later onset of disease and anti-AChR Ab positivity. Antibody titer above the mean value of 25.8 pmol/mL showed no significant effect on generalization. Sex and late onset of disease significantly affected T-QMGS worsening. None of the other independent variables significantly affected O-QMGS and HRQoL.

Conclusions: Sex, later onset and anti-AChR Ab positivity were significantly associated with clinical worsening.     

Antibody profile may predict outcome in ocular myasthenia gravis

An unsolved issue remains whether there are clinical and immunological features to predict in a single patient the risk of conversion from ocular Myasthenia Gravis (OMG) to generalized disease (GMG) as 50–60% of patients may progress within 1–2 years since onset. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR Abs) are found in up to 50% of OMG patients; muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies (MuSK-Abs) are present in about 70% of the whole seronegative (SN), who usually develop a severe disease with bulbar involvement. We surveyed a cohort of 175 OMG patients with purely ocular symptoms and we compare the outcome of patients with antibodies to AChR or to MuSK with those seronegative for both Abs (DSN). All patients had purely ocular signs for at least 24 months. Gender, age at onset, time to generalization or to worsening in quantitative ocular QMG scores, electrophysiological results were analyzed. Males were 58.9%, females 41.1%. Patients with late onset of symptoms after 50 years (LOMG) were 78.3%. We assayed anti-MuSK-Abs in 4.7%, anti-AChR Abs in 38.5%; 57.3% were defined DSN. Thirty-seven patients (21.1%) progressed to GMG during the observational time: 23 were females, 62% of the whole group of the generalized subjects, 75% of MuSK-positive OMG converted to GMG versus the 26.2% of AChR positive and 13.7% of DSN. Statistical analysis showed that gender and presence of antibodies either to AChR or to MuSK were independent predictors of worse outcome; the DSN subjects had lower risk of conversion to GMG.     

Th22细胞及相关因子在重症肌无力患者外周血中的表达

目的研究重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者外周血辅助性T细胞22(T helper 22cells,Th22)和白细胞介素-22(interleukin-22,IL-22)的表达以及两者间的相关性。方法收集25例MG患者和24例健康对照者,其中眼肌型重症肌无力(ocular myasthenia gravis,OMG)患者14例,全身型重症肌无力(general myasthenia gravis,GMG)患者11例。采用流式细胞仪检测MG患者和健康对照者外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cells,PBMC)中Th22细胞的比例,采用酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血浆IL-22的表达。比较各组间Th22细胞比例和IL-22表达水平差异,以及Th22细胞比例和IL-22表达间的相关性。结果 MG患者PBMC中Th22细胞比例、血浆IL-22表达水平均显著低于健康对照组[(0.60±0.07)%比(0.92±0.09)%,P0.01;(18.65±1.38)pg/mL比(24.54±1.85)pg/mL,P0.05];OMG与GMG患者间Th22细胞比例、IL-22表达水平均无统计学差异(均P0.05);MG患者PBMC中Th22细胞比例与IL-22表达水平间呈中度正相关(r=0.59,P0.01)。结论 MG患者体内Th22细胞比例及血浆IL-22表达水平减低可能导致免疫功能紊乱进而影响MG的发病。     

眼肌型重症肌无力临床分析

目的总结分析眼肌型重症肌无力患者的临床特征,以为诊断和治疗提供参考依据。方法回顾性分析113例眼肌型重症肌无力患者的临床资料。采用免疫荧光细胞染色方法检测血清乙酰胆碱受体(AChR)抗体和肌肉特异性受体酪氨酸激酶(MuSK)抗体表达水平,分析这两项免疫学指标对眼肌型重症肌无力向全身型转化的预测价值。结果成年发病的眼肌型重症肌无力好发于40岁以上男性,多以眼睑下垂(95例,84.07%)为首发症状,少数以复视(18例,1 5.93%)起病。疲劳试验和新斯的明试验阳性率分别为79.44%(85/107)和84.85%(84/99),低频重复神经电刺激和血清甲状腺抗体异常率分别为44.32%(39/88)和28%(14/50),胸腺增生和胸腺瘤阳性率分别为16.67%(17/102)和11.76%(12/102);血清AChR抗体阳性率为62.83%(71/113);但MuSK抗体均呈阴性。眼肌型重症肌无力向全身型转化率为12.39%(14/113),其中血清AChR抗体强阳性者(13例,28.26%)显著高于弱阳性者(1例,4%),二者差异有统计学意义(X~2=4.587,P=0.032)。结论成年发病的眼肌型重症肌无力好发于中年以上男性,主要表现为眼睑下垂和复视,大多数患者伴发胸腺和甲状腺异常。血清AChR抗体表达水平升高预示向全身型转化率升高,鲜有MuSK抗体阳性反应。     

T suppressor cell function in patients with myasthenia gravis

The activities of Con A-induced Suppressor Cells (Con-ASC) were determined in 50 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and 24 healthy controls. The ConA-SC activity of the patients with MG was significantly decreased as compared with that of the controls (10.06%) versus 25.28%, (P less than 0.01). Furthermore, the patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) had a lower ConA-SC activity than those with extraocular muscle myasthenia gravis (EMMG) (9.37% versus 12.13%, P less than 0.05), but their serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was higher than that of patients with EMMG (20.55 x 10(-9) M versus 2.4 x 10(-9) M, P less than 0.01). No correlation found between the ConA-SC activity and the sex or duration of disease of the MG patients. And no effects of prednisone and thymectomy were found on the ConA-SC activity of MG patients. The results of the study suggested that the decreased function of suppressor T lymphocytes might play an important role in the pathogenesis of MG.