Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Cirrhosis and Ulcerative Colitis after Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis

Abstract

THE thymus is accorded important functions in the development of normal and disordered immunologic systems of the body. Not only may immunologically competent lymphocytes with a wide range of specific antigenic activity be derived from the thymus, but the healthy organ may have an inhibitory influence that discriminates effectively against such mutating stem cells and their descendant clones.1 , 2 Although proposing the latter hypothesis, Burnet1 has been unable to find any immunologic disability after thymectomy in the human being. Because of the fundamental significance of such an association a case of systemic lupus erythematosus occurring after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis is . . .