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ObjectiveTo describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and identify factors associated with COVID-19 severity in patients with MG.MethodsThe CO-MY-COVID registry was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study conducted in neuromuscular referral centers and general hospitals of the FILNEMUS (Filière Neuromusculaire) network (between March 1, 2020, and June 8, 2020), including patients with MG with a confirmed or highly suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. COVID-19 was diagnosed based on a PCR test from a nasopharyngeal swab or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serology, thoracic CT scan, or typical symptoms. The main outcome was COVID-19 severity based on location of treatment/management (home, hospitalized in a medical unit, or in an intensive care unit). We collected information on demographic variables, general history, and risk factors for severe COVID-19. Multivariate ordinal regression models were used to identify factors associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes.ResultsAmong 3,558 patients with MG registered in the French database for rare disorders, 34 (0.96%) had COVID-19. The mean age at COVID-19 onset was 55.0 ± 19.9 years (mean MG duration: 8.5 ± 8.5 years). By the end of the study period, 28 patients recovered from COVID-19, 1 remained affected, and 5 died. Only high Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) class (≥IV) before COVID-19 was associated with severe COVID-19 (p = 0.004); factors that were not associated included sex, MG duration, and medium MGFA classes (≤IIIb). The type of MG treatment had no independent effect on COVID-19 severity.ConclusionsThis registry-based cohort study shows that COVID-19 had a limited effect on most patients, and immunosuppressive medications and corticosteroids used for MG management are not risk factors for poorer outcomes. However, the risk of severe COVID-19 is elevated in patients with high MGFA classes (odds ratio, 102.6 [4.4–2,371.9]). These results are important for establishing evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with MG during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveTo report the clinical features of 11 patients with metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antibody–associated encephalitis, immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass, and effects of the antibodies on neuronal mGluR5 clusters.MethodsClinical information was retrospectively obtained from referring physicians. Antibodies to mGluR5 and IgG subclasses were determined with brain immunohistochemistry and cell-based assays. The effects of the antibodies were examined on rat hippocampal neurons with reported techniques.ResultsFrom January 2005 to May 2017, 11 patients (median age 29 years, range 6–75 years, 5 female) were identified. The main clinical features were psychiatric (10), cognitive (10), movement disorders (7), sleep dysfunction (7), and seizures (6). Median modified Rankin Scale score at the peak of the disease was 4; 4 patients required intensive care. Five patients had Hodgkin lymphoma, and 1 had small cell lung cancer. CSF showed pleocytosis (median white blood cell count 22 mm3) in all patients; brain MRI was abnormal in 5, involving limbic (1) or extralimbic (4) regions. Treatments included immunotherapy and/or oncologic therapy; at the last follow-up (median 48 months), 6 patients had complete and 5 had partial recovery. Neurologic relapse occurred in 2 patients. Antibodies were IgG1 alone (4 of 9) or in combination with IgG2 (1 of 9), IgG3 (3 of 9), or both (1). Patients' IgG caused a significant and specific decrease of cell-surface synaptic and extrasynaptic mGluR5 without altering the levels of postsynaptic density protein 95.ConclusionsAnti-mGluR5 encephalitis associates with a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome, not restricted to limbic encephalitis, and can occur without tumor. Patients respond to treatment, but relapses can occur. The antibodies have pathogenic effects altering the levels of cell-surface mGluR5.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and specificities of adult male patients with NMDA receptor antibodies (NMDAr-Abs) encephalitis.Observational study of 13 adult male patients who were diagnosed with NMDAr-Abs encephalitis at the French Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome Reference Center.Adult male patients frequently presented initially with a seizure (8/13, 61.5%). Seizures were partial in 5/8 patients and were followed only a few days later (median 12 days; range 2-17 days) by psychiatric or cognitive symptoms. Conversely, adult female patients rarely presented with a seizure initially (8/58, 14%, p0.001), and most of their seizures were generalized and were rapidly followed (median 2 days; range 1-7 days) by behavioral and psychiatric features. Additionally, in male patients the disease was rarely associated with a tumor (1/13 or 8%, a perineal schwannoma); in contrast, 41% of female patients had an associated tumor (95% of which were ovarian teratomas; p = 0.02 male vs female association with tumor). The incidences of abnormalities in ancillary tests, treatment modalities, clinical evolution, and outcome were equal for both subgroups.Adult male patients who have partial seizures, normal MRI results, and no clear etiology should be tested for NMDAr-Abs to avoid any delays in treatment initiation. Adult female patients who had a seizure as the first symptom are infrequent when NMDAr-Abs encephalitis is diagnosed; additionally, their clinical pattern is different from male patients, with more generalized seizures and rapid development of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms. The differences in hormonal influence could contribute to this difference in clinical pattern.

We performed a study of the distribution of PrP27-30, the proteinase-K-resistant form of prion protein, in the central and peripheral nervous system of a patient with a Glu200Lys mutation of the prion protein gene, cerebellar ataxia, subcortical dementia, rigidity, and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. In the CNS, there was neuron loss and spongy degeneration, principally in the cerebellum, and with progressively lower density in the caudate nucleus, thalamus, temporal cortex, frontal cortex, and brainstem. Evaluation of the expression of PrP27-30 by Western blot showed that its distribution correlated with the intensity of the lesions in these regions. In contrast, we did not detect PrP27-30 in the peripheral nervous system where lesions consisted of demyelination, and remyelination that predominated in the proximal nerve trunks and roots.

Objective: To report the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) as the autoantigen of antibodies from 2 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and limbic encephalopathy (Ophelia syndrome). Methods: Immunohistochemistry with brain tissue and cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were used to demonstrate antibodies. Immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and mGluR5 -null mice served to identify the antigen. HEK293 cells transfected with mGluR5 or mGluR1 were used to determine immunologic crossreactivity. Results: Both patients developed symptoms consistent with limbic encephalopathy; one had MRI findings typical of this disorder and the other had more extensive radiologic involvement, including parietal and occipital cortex. Patients9 sera had antibodies that predominantly reacted with the neuropil of hippocampus and cell surface of live hippocampal neurons. Immunoprecipitation from cultured neurons and mass spectrometry demonstrated that the antigen was mGluR5, a receptor involved in processes of learning and memory. The reactivity of patients9 sera was abrogated in brain of mGluR5 -null mice, further confirming the antibody specificity. Studies with a large number of controls including 2 patients with cerebellar ataxia and mGluR1 antibodies showed that mGluR5 was only identified by sera of the 2 patients with the Ophelia syndrome, and that despite the homology of this receptor with mGluR1 each autoantigen was specific for a distinct syndrome. Conclusions: Antibodies to mGluR5 should be considered in patients with symptoms of limbic encephalitis and HL (Ophelia syndrome). Recognition of this disorder is important because it can affect young individuals and is reversible.

Telithromycin, a new ketolide antibiotic, has been implicated in the exacerbation or unmasking of myasthenia gravis. This retrospective study presents two clinical reports and summarizes eight other suspected cases notified to the French pharmacovigilance system, highlighting a potentially life-threatening risk of telithromycin treatment in myasthenic patients. An important common feature was that, in seven cases, symptomatology occurred within 2 hours of first telithromycin intake--notably in cases of severe exacerbation.

A patient with myasthenia gravis and thymoma developed neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and necrotizing myositis 4 months after treatment of the tumor. Antibodies reacting with the CNS and thymic epithelial cells were detected in the serum during the acute phase of NMO, suggesting that the NMO was linked to the thymoma.

We report a 25-year-old patient with a progressive asymmetric peripheral neuropathy of the distal lower limbs. Imaging studies showed enlargement of lumbosacral roots, plexus, and proximal sciatic nerve. Sacral plexus biopsy revealed amyloidosis associated with endoneurial edema. Immunohistochemistry with anti-prealbumin, serum amyloid A, and immunoglobulin light chain antisera failed to label the amyloid.

To the Editor: Rowland et al. [1] reported an unusual case of autopsy-proven amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the setting of a monoclonal IgM with antibody activity against the glycolipid SGPG, but negative anti-MAG activity by immunoblot. We previously reported a patient with fatal progressive weakness and amyotrophy and IgM monoclonal activity against MAG and SGPG. Nerve biopsy disclosed severe demyelination and axonal loss …

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Yuen1 reporting a case of idiopathic progressive monomelic sensory neuropathy. We followed a similar patient, a 52-year-old man, who complained for 3 or 4 years of progressive discomfort and disability in his left arm. He had no motor deficit, but tendon reflexes were abolished in that limb. Sensory abnormalities were limited to errors in stereognosia and postural instability of the left hand after eye occlusion. Motor conduction velocity was normal in the four limbs. The amplitude of sensory action potentials …