Correlation of C3 level with severity of generalized myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Acute exacerbation of generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) can cause swallowing impairment, respiratory failure, or death. It is important to identify immunological factors that might be regarded reliably as an index of the patient's clinical condition, response to treatment, and measure of certain immune aberrations of MG. In this study we investigated correlations between complement component C3, acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRab) titer, and clinical severity of GMG. AChRab titer and C3 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay and nephelometry, respectively. The clinical severity of GMG was assessed by the quantitative MG score (QMGS) according to Besinger and colleagues. Our findings indicate that the C3 level correlates with clinical severity of AChRab-positive GMG.