A Case of COVID-19 Vaccine Causing a Myasthenia Gravis Crisis

Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease of the neuromuscular junction subsequently affecting the bulbar, respiratory, and extremity skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies target the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), preventing transmission of the excitatory cascade during muscle...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCurēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 13; no. 6
Main Authors Tagliaferri, Ariana R, Narvaneni, Spandana, Azzam, Moh'd Hazem, Grist, William
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Palo Alto (CA) Cureus 10.06.2021
Subjects
Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine
Neurology
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Summary:Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease of the neuromuscular junction subsequently affecting the bulbar, respiratory, and extremity skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies target the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), preventing transmission of the excitatory cascade during muscle contraction. Myasthenia gravis is typically well controlled using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, steroids, immunosuppressant agents, and/or thymectomies. However, exacerbations can be induced by infection or medications. This is particularly important during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in which myasthenia gravis patients have been known to have poorer outcomes. We report a very rare presentation of a myasthenia gravis crisis induced by the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.15581