BACKGROUND: Antibodies to a muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) have been found in approximately 40% of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis who are seronegative for the antiacetylcholine receptor antibody. Many of the patients with anti-MuSK antibodies have prominent oculobulbar symptoms or weakness of the neck and respiratory muscles, but patients with ocular myasthenia have not been described. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of ocular myasthenia due to anti-MuSK antibodies. PATIENT: A young woman with ocular myasthenia and antibodies to MuSK. RESULTS: Anti-MuSK antibody was detected by radioimmunoassay using highly purified MuSK recombinant antigen. CONCLUSION: Ocular myasthenia gravis is a presentation of the anti-MuSK antibody syndrome.
BACKGROUND: Antibodies to a muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) have been found in approximately 40% of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis who are seronegative for the antiacetylcholine receptor antibody. Many of the patients with anti-MuSK antibodies have prominent oculobulbar symptoms or weakness of the neck and respiratory muscles, but patients with ocular myasthenia have not been described. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of ocular myasthenia due to anti-MuSK antibodies. PATIENT: A young woman with ocular myasthenia and antibodies to MuSK. RESULTS: Anti-MuSK antibody was detected by radioimmunoassay using highly purified MuSK recombinant antigen. CONCLUSION:Ocular myasthenia gravis is a presentation of the anti-MuSKantibody syndrome.