Immunology and Serology Case study

Case Study: Myasthenia Gravis

All responses must be in your own words. Answers that have been copied and pasted will not receive credit.

1. Besides MG, what other disease is caused by autoantibodies against cell-surface receptors?

2. Translate the terms “myasthenia gravis”?

3. The doctor noticed eyelid ptosis when he first examined Mr. Weld. Eyelid ptosis is often one of the first signs of MG. What is eyelid ptosis and what causes it in myasthenia gravis?

4. To what are the antibodies directed against in MG?

5. Why are individuals with MG prone to aspiration pneumonia? [Before you answer, be sure you know what “aspiration pneumonia” is.]

6. How do we know that the antibody in MG is IgG?

7. If a baby is born with neonatal MG, how long would you expect the MG to persist? Why or why not? [This answer isn’t in the case study – use your deductive ability.]

8. Mr. Weld had a severe relapse in his disease after a respiratory infection. Many autoimmune diseases seem to be triggered by infection and relapses in autoimmune diseases frequently follow an infection. Please speculate WHY you think the infection triggered a relapse in his MG?

2018