[Serum anti-titin antibody in patients with myasthenia gravis].

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical significance of serum anti-titin antibody level in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) with thymoma.

METHOD: The serum anti-titin antibody was analysed by ELISA method in 40 cases of health control group, 90 cases of MG, 17 cases of MG with thymoma and 7 cases of no-MG thymoma. The positive rate was compared among these groups.

RESULTS

The positive rate of anti-titin antibody was significantly higher in MG with thymoma patients than MG patients (94% and 3%, P < 0.01). According to the Osserman's classification, anti-titin antibody was present mostly in patients (43%) in IV stage, and also present in 2 cases of 7 who with no-MG thymoma.

CONCLUSION

Serum anti-titin antibody test is helpful in the diagnosis of MG with thymoma.