Antivirus antibodies in myasthenia gravis.

Serum antibodies to influenza A, measles, rubella, cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster, herpes simplex type 1, and mumps have been assayed in 104 patients with myasthenia gravis, grouped according to clinical features plus thymus pathology, and compared with matched controls. No significant differences in incidence or antibody titer were detected. In 37 patients with recent onset of symptoms, the incidence of antibody to coxsackieviruses B1-B6 was less than in controls. Juvenile-onset cases also demonstrated antibody to Epstein-Barr virus at the expected frequency. These results weaken the case for any of these common viruses, or the response to them, contributing to the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.