• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2023

A 10-year-old castrated male Domestic Shorthair cat visited a veterinary medical teaching hospital for emergency dyspnea. The cat was hypoxic and hypotensive, and stridorous respiration was remarkable. Visual inspection confirmed laryngeal paralysis and a lack of mobility of the left larynx. Megaesophagus, aspiration pneumonia, cranial mediastinal mass, and positive Tensilon test results using neostigmine were observed, indicating acquired myasthenia gravis secondary to thymic neoplasia. After 10 minutes of neostigmine 0.02 mg/kg IV administration, laryngeal paralysis and dyspnea resolved. Histopathlogical examination for the cranial mediastinal mass after surgical resection confirmed malignant thymoma. Here, we report a case of acquired myasthenia gravis in a cat with a malignant thymoma that presented with life-threatening dyspnea due to laryngeal paralysis. Feline laryngeal paralysis is uncommon, and myasthenia gravis, a cause of laryngeal paralysis in cats, has not yet been reported. Myasthenia gravis should be considered in cats with laryngeal paralysis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2012

Three dogs (An 8 years-old intact female Poodle, a 7 years-old intact male Schunauzer, and an 8 yearsold Golden Retriever) were presented due to acute vomiting, dyspnea, and generalized weakness. Megaesophagus was confirmed through radiographic examination in all 3 dogs. Relative oesophageal diameter (ROD) was measured and results of ROD measurements showed the possibility of megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis in three dogs. Thus we performed anticholinesterase test as screening test for myasthenia gravis. In all three dogs, esophageal diameter was reduced after neostigmine methylsulfate administration. For definite diagnosis of acquired myasthenia gravis, serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was measured, but definite diagnosis was confirmed only in one case. However, based on history, radiographic findings, anticholinesterase test, ROD measurement, other two cases were still suspected as megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis. Treatment with pyridostigmine bromide was initiated in all dogs, and improvement of esophageal diameter was shown in all dogs. One dog was successfully managed for 15 months after initial treatment and, is still alive, but other two dogs were died shortly after initial treatment, because of severe aspiration pneumonia.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.121-123
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• 2016

A 7-year-old castrated male domestic short-hair cat presented with anorexia, constipation, depression, and voice alteration. Physical and neurological examinations revealed hyperthermia ($40.5^{\circ}C$), ventroflexion of the neck, reduced responses to external stimuli, generalized muscle weakness, and exercise intolerance. Thoracic radiographs revealed the presence of a cranial mediastinal mass. The history, clinical signs, and other examination results were compatible with acquired myasthenia gravis (MG). Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titers were determined to confirm MG and the serum AChR antibody concentration was 1.24 nmol/L (reference interval, < 0.3 nmol/L). This is the first diagnosis of acquired MG in a cat in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2014

A 12-year-old, castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog presented with frequent regurgitations that had begun 45 days earlier and become more progressive. Radiographs revealed an air-trap region behind the cranial esophageal sphincter muscle in the esophagus and esophagographies with barium contrast showed mild esophageal dilation with decreased motility. Esophageal motility increased within 5 min of neostigmine methylsulfate administration and acetylcholine receptor antibodies titer increased to beyond the normal range. Based on these findings, acquired myasthenia gravis with focal form was diagnosed, making this the first such case diagnosed by an acetylcholine receptor antibody test in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.71-73
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• 2006

A 7-month-old female Shih-tzu dog was presented with intermittent trembling, dyspnea, generalized muscle weakness, and unconsciousness after exercise. No remarkable findings were shown in the complete blood counts and the radiographic examination. On serum biochemical profiles, alkaline phosphatase and creatine phosphokinase were mildly elevated. Based on history takings, physical examination, and neurological findings, presumptive diagnosis was made as a myasthenia gravis (MG). Clinical signs of this patient were dramatically improved after administration of neostigmine. The result of acetylcholine receptor antibody test in serum was 0.89 nmol/L and the histopathology of muscle were normal. Clinical sign of the patient evaluated in this study is stabilized with long-term administration of pyridostigmine at this time. This case report here describes clinical and clinicopathological findings of a juvenile onset acquired MG in a Shih-tzu dog.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.392-395
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• 2005

A three-year old intact female German shepherd dog weighing 32kg was presented with the history of regurgitation and vomiting. Physical examination revealed a thin body condition, hoarse voice, hypersalivation, and pelvic limb weakness. In radiograph, meagaesophagus was identified. The neostigmine challenge test was positive. The titer of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody was 1.58 nmol/L (reference range, <0.6nmol). Therefore, the dog was diagnosed to be suffering with chronic generalized form of acquired myasthenia gravis and followed by treatment with pyridostigmine bromide, 1mg/kg, q12 hrs. Treatment improved the pelvic limb weakness, however intermittent regurgitation and vomiting persisted. This resulted in aspiration pneumonia f3r which antibiotics were administered However, the dog was euthanized due to poor management and owner's request.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.37.1-37.16
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• 2022

Autoimmune diseases are caused by a dysfunction of the acquired immune system. In a subset of autoimmune diseases, B cells escaping immune tolerance present autoantigen and produce cytokines and/or autoantibodies, resulting in systemic or organ-specific autoimmunity. Therefore, B cell depletion with monoclonal Abs targeting B cell lineage markers is standard care therapy for several B cell-mediated autoimmune disorders. In the last 5 years, genetically-engineered cellular immunotherapies targeting B cells have shown superior efficacy and long-term remission of B cell malignancies compared to historical clinical outcomes using B cell depletion with monoclonal Ab therapies. This has raised interest in understanding whether similar durable remission could be achieved with use of genetically-engineered cell therapies for autoimmunity. This review will focus on current human clinical trials using engineered cell therapies for B cell-associated autoimmune diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.94-94
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• 2006

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 1993

This is the result of the annual statistic analysis of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical cases in 1992 Korea. Overall 17, 520 cases of surgery [11, 732 cases of thoracic surgery by 54 institutes / 5, 788 cases of cardiovascular surgery by 48 institutes] were done. 1. Tumor [N=2, 532] : Lung was the most frequently involved organ by tumor [54.9%],and the remainders were mediastinum [16.2%] / esophagus [14.8%] / chest wall [11.7%] / tracheobronchus [1.3%] / pleura [1.1%] in order. Of 1, 082 cases of primary lung cancer surgery,the frequency of cell type was squamous [62.6%] / adeno [21.6%] / small cell [7.1%] / large cell [2.7%]. Of 411 cases of mediastinal tumor surgery,the frequency of cell type was neurogenic [28.8%] / thymoma [27.6%] / teratoma [17.7%] / congenital cystic [17.2%]. Of 376 cases of esophageal tumor surgery,primary cancer were the most [85.4%]. 2. Infection [N=3, 157] : Pleura was the most frequently involved organ [59.0%],and the remainders were lung [31.3%] / chest wall [8.6%] / mediastinum [1.1%] in order. 3. Miscellaneous [N=6, 043] : Lung and pleural disease esp. pneumothorax [85.1%] was the most frequent surgical indication. The remainders were chest wall anomaly [3.4%] / benign esophageal disease [3.4%] / diaphragmatic pathology [2.4%] / myasthenia [1.4%] in order. Of 85 cases of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis,thymoma was noted in 58.8%. 1. Congenital heart disease [N=3, 363] : The ratio of noncyanotic to cyanotic heart disease was 3:1. Of 2, 516 cases of noncyanotic heart disease,the frequency of disease entity was VSD [44.1%] / ASD [26.0%] / PDA [19.4%] / PS [3.3%],and that of 847 cases of cyanotic heart disease was TOF [29.4%] / ECD [15.6%] / TGA [9.7%] / DORV [7.6%]. Overall mortalities were 2.1% in noncyanotic and 12.2% in cyanotic heart surgery. 2. Acquired heart disease [N=1, 929] : Of 1, 422 cases of valvular surgery,single mitral pathology was the most frequent candidate [48.0%],and total 1, 574 prosthetic valves which were mainly mechanical [95.6%] were used. Of 376 cases of coronary surgery,triple vessel was the most [35.9%],and the frequency of bypassing grafts was great saphenous vein [52.9%] / internal mammary artery [44.7%] / artificial vessel [2.4%]. Overall mortalities were 3.4% in valvular and 4.5% in coronary surgery. 3. Pericardium,Cardiac tumor,Arrhythmia,Aortic aneurysm,Assist device,and Pacemaker : There were no specific changes compared to previous survey1]. This nation-wide inquiry will be continued and reported annually by KTCS Society.