[Determination of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia and its treatment by plasma exchange and immunosuppressants].

Recent works have confirmed the auto immune mechanism in myasthenia gravis, that Simpson had hypothetized early as 1960. A post synaptic blockage, of which Ach-R antibodies seem to be chiefly responsible, is now accepted though the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. The immuno assay of these antibodies is still difficult; their blood level evaluates the course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment. The withdrawal of the antibodies by plasma exchange (P.E.) and the inhibition of their secretion by immunosuppression (I.S.) lead to remission in many cases. Principle of the immuno assay and results of P.E. and I.S. are reported in 21 cases.