Journal article
Seropositive Myasthenia Gravis Triggered by Lyme Disease: A Case Study of Molecular Mimicry
Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), v 17(12), e99366
Dec 2025
PMID: 41552140
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is a multisystem infection that rarely produces neuromuscular complications beyond classic neuroborreliosis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fatigable weakness due to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. We describe a 74-year-old man with coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and prostate cancer who developed progressive dysphagia, dysphonia, ptosis, and neck weakness. Initial attribution to medication-related angioedema delayed recognition. Neurological examination revealed bulbar weakness and fatigable ptosis. Electrodiagnostic testing confirmed post-synaptic neuromuscular junction dysfunction, and AChR antibody assays were strongly positive across binding, blocking, and modulating subtypes. Concurrent Lyme serologies were positive for immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M. The patient required intensive care monitoring and was treated with plasma exchange, intravenous ceftriaxone, prednisone, and pyridostigmine, with marked improvement. This case illustrates a rare coexistence of neuroborreliosis and seropositive MG, highlighting potential molecular mimicry between Borrelia antigens and AChR epitopes.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Seropositive Myasthenia Gravis Triggered by Lyme Disease: A Case Study of Molecular Mimicry
- Creators
- Sahil Sardana (Corresponding Author) - Allegheny Health NetworkEmily Grieco - Drexel University, NeurologySamantha MacGavin - Drexel University, NeurologyHassan Abdullah Shakeel - Allegheny Health NetworkMeghan Piccinnin - Allegheny Health NetworkTaranjit Singh Gill - Drexel University, General Internal Medicine
- Publication Details
- Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), v 17(12), e99366
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; General Internal Medicine
- Other Identifier
- 991022155070804721