A Fatal Case of Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbation in Covid-19 Leading to Acute Respiratory Failure - Abstract
Background: The neurologic potential of COVID-19 in auto-immune disorders is yet to be uncovered. With chronic immunosuppression, patients with Myasthenia gravis are vulnerable in contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that may lead to further complications during the course of the disease along with progression towards pneumonia leading to increased mortality.
Case Report: We report a case of a 33-year-old male with a history of Myasthenia gravis who experienced COVID-19 infection leading to exacerbation of Myasthenia gravis symptoms and succumbed to death due to acute respiratory failure.
Conclusion: The implications of COVID-19 in auto-immune diseases like Myasthenia Gravis is very complex, with immunosuppressive therapy putting the patients at higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 virus complicating to acute interstitial pneumonia and leading to Respiratory failure. About 15% of Myasthenia gravis (MG), patients are particularly susceptible to infections leading to Myasthenic crisis and evolution of respiratory muscle weakness leading to restrictive respiratory failure due to the combination of reduced neuromuscular safety factors adversely affected by pyrexia and the effect of acute inflammatory mediators compounded by immunosuppression. Viral infections are reported to stimulate autoimmunity through augmentation of T-cell signalling leading to cytokine dysregulation, causing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.