1. Rituximab in Severe Seronegative Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis: Review of the Literature
- Author
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Amna Al Futaisi, Roshan Koul, and Reem Abdwani
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Antigens, CD19 ,Anti-Inflammatory Agents ,Azathioprine ,Gastroenterology ,Neuromuscular junction ,Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Developmental Neuroscience ,immune system diseases ,Internal medicine ,Myasthenia Gravis ,Diplopia ,Blepharoptosis ,Humans ,Medicine ,Lymphocyte Count ,Acetylcholine receptor ,business.industry ,Immunotherapy ,medicine.disease ,Respiration, Artificial ,Acetylcholinesterase ,Myasthenia gravis ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Neurology ,chemistry ,Antirheumatic Agents ,Child, Preschool ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Immunology ,Airway Extubation ,Prednisone ,Female ,Rituximab ,Plasmapheresis ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction. A wide range of symptomatic therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and immunotherapy such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin has been used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, with variable responses. However, most modalities of treatment involve delayed onset of action. We describe a child with severe, life-threatening seronegative myasthenia gravis who repeatedly failed extubation and responded dramatically to rituximab. She achieved complete and sustained remission for more than 9 months, with gradual reduction in steroid dose without any side effects. Advances in the treatment of myasthenia gravis have reduced mortality and morbidity and improved the quality of life in these patients.
- Published
- 2012
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