Primary progressive multiple sclerosis and generalized myasthenia gravis: an uncommon association

Neurol Sci. 2010 Dec;31(6):833-6. doi: 10.1007/s10072-010-0358-6. Epub 2010 Jun 29.

Abstract

The co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis (MG) and multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare, and in all the described cases MS had a relapsing-remitting course and the diseases had a benign clinical evolution. We describe herewith a patient with primary progressive MS (PPMS) and generalized MG with severe clinical course. This is the first report on a case of PPMS associated to MG. Studies on the histology and pathogenesis show that neurodegeneration is predominant over inflammation in PPMS, even if cellular and humoral immune-mediated mechanisms are thought to maintain a crucial importance in the development and progression of this form of disease. In the present case, the detection of cerebrospinal fluid IgM oligoclonal bands support the hypothesis of a possible role of antibody-mediated immunity in PPMS and suggest that humoral immunity may take part in the concomitant development of both MS and MG.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / complications*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Severity of Illness Index