Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune, neuromuscular disorder. Myasthenia gravis causes weakness and/ or fatigue of any voluntary muscle. Ususally swallowing, facial expression, and movement of eyes are affected by myasthenia gravis. Long-term treatment is oral medications that include corticosteroids. When a person is in a myasthenic crises, they may not be able to swallow or have difficulty breathing. A quick solution must be found to reverse a myasthenic crises or death may quickly occur.
When myasthenia gravis occurs, neuromuscular transmission is disrupted because of decreased receptor numbers. The decrease of receptors is a result of binding antibodies to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located on the post-synaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. As many as 30-95% of myasthenia gravis patients are seropositive for immunoglobulin G AChR antibodies. If a person receives treatment by plasmapheresis and a decrease in the antibody titre occurs, the symptoms will improve and short-term relief is achieved until the plasma antibodies rise again.
(Plasmapheresis is the process of removing the plasma and antibodies from whole blood. RBC are returned to the body. The process typically occurs in about an hour and saline is administered to replace the fluids lost through the apheresis process.)
Using plasmapheresis to remedy a life-threatening event such as myasthenic crises makes the process affordable and a reality for those suffering from myasthenia gravis. The industry of plasmapheresis has so much to offer our evolving biologics research and treatment world through the process itself and through its use in pharmaceuticals. Many studies are using the immunoglobulins from refracted plasma to build new medication therapies for chronic illnesses. Plasmapheresis is a popular way to obtain life saving immunoglobulins that can be given in forms of medication or transplanted directly to patients to remedy sickle-cell crises and burns. Maybe in the future studies and new technology of the apheresis process could include a way to give myasthenia gravis a periodic (daily, weekly) treatment for long-term needs.
Works cited:
“Myasthenia gravis”, Mayo Clinic Staff. mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/myastheniagravis/DS00375. 26 JUN 2013, 11:14pm.
“Treatment Alternatives in the Successful Management of Myasthenia Gravis”. Drugs and Therapy Prospectives, Medscape News Today. 27 Jun 2013, 7:53 am. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/434482.