Objectives: To measure clinical and immunological parameters in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with antibodies against tumour necrosis factor-alpha (infliximab, Remicade).
Patient and methods: A patient with severe MG received repeated injections of infliximab. His muscle function score was monitored and the immunological parameters were followed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay.
Results: The patient improved in muscle fatigability tests and the levels of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor decreased during treatment. The activation marker human leucocyte antigen-DR on CD4(+) T cells also decreased.
Conclusion: Treatment with infliximab might be beneficial for patients with severe MG but demands careful monitoring of possible serious side-effects.