CHIDERA HENRY MADUEKE

Topic- Autoimmune Diseases.

Introduction-
Abnormally low or high immune system activity is the result of immune system issues. In autoimmune
diseases, the body attacks and damages its own tissues as a result of an overactive immune system.
Immune deficiency conditions reduce the body's capacity to protect itself against intruders, making
infections more likely. In reaction to an unknown trigger, the immune system may begin producing
antibodies that, rather than fighting infections, target the body's own tissues. Treatment for
autoimmune diseases frequently aims to reduce immune system activity.

Celiac Disease
Consuming gluten causes celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder. It is also known as celiac sprue,
nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. There is a protein called gluten in grains such as
wheat, rye, barley, and others. It is what gives bread its elastic dough and chewy feel.Villi, which are
microscopic projections that resemble fingers and are located throughout the small intestine's wall, are
harmed when a person with celiac disease consumes gluten because their body overreacts to the

protein.

If your villi are harmed, your small intestine will not be able to absorb nutrients from food as well.
Malnutrition, bone loss, infertility, miscarriage, neurological problems, and even some forms of cancer
may eventually result from this.

 Symptoms-
Abdominal pain
Anemia
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
 Gas
Itchy, blistery rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
Headaches or fatigue
Mouth ulcers
Nausea
Steatorrhea
Weight loss

 Test & Diagnosis-

Many people with celiac disease are not aware of their illness. Two blood tests can be used to find it:

Your blood is tested for antibodies during a serology test. Elevated concentrations of specific antibody
proteins are a sign that gluten has triggered an immunological response.

A genetic test for the human leukocyte antigens HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 can be used to rule out celiac
disease.

 Treatment-
The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict, permanent
gluten-free diet.

Myasthenia Gravis
Impaired transmission at the neuromuscular junction is a hallmark of myasthenia gravis (MG), an
autoimmune neurological disease. The incidence ranges from 4.1 to 30 occurrences per million person-
years, whereas the prevalence rate fluctuates between 150 and 200 cases per million. MG is a well-
known example of an autoimmune disease that is mediated by antibodies. The majority of MG patients
have autoantibodies that target the acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Agrin, low-density lipoprotein
receptor-related protein 4, and muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) are a few of the less common
autoantibodies.

These autoantibodies affect cholinergic transmission between nerve terminals and muscle fibers by
downregulating, destroying, functionally blocking, or disrupting AChR clustering in the postsynaptic
membrane. The main clinical symptom of MG is fatigable muscle weakness, which can affect the ocular,
bulbar, respiratory, and limb muscles. Clinical symptoms vary depending on the type of autoantibody
and whether a thymoma is present.

 Symptoms-

Weakness in your eye muscles

Drooping eyelids
Double vision
Blurred vision
Change in your facial expression
Trouble swallowing
Shortness of breath
Problems walking and lifting things
Trouble holding up your head

 Test & Diagnosis-

Blood testing-
Unusual antibodies that interfere with the receptor sites where
nerve impulses cause your muscles to contract may be
detected by a blood test.
Repeatedly stimulating the nerves-
Doctors place electrodes on your skin over the muscles that will
be examined as part of this nerve conduction investigation. For
the purpose of assessing the nerve's capacity to communicate
with your muscle, doctors administer brief electrical pulses
through the electrodes.
Doctors will frequently test the nerve to check if its capacity to
transmit impulses deteriorates with exhaustion in order to
diagnose myasthenia gravis.
Imaging-
To determine whether you have a tumor or another
abnormalities in your thymus, your doctor may prescribe a CT
scan or an MRI.

 Treatment-

Myasthenia gravis symptoms can be managed with a variety of

therapies, either separately or in combination. Your age, the
severity of your disease, and how quickly it is advancing will all
affect how you are treated.
Medications-
Cholinesterase inhibitors.( pyridostigmine )

Corticosteroids.

Immunosuppressants.

Surgery- Some persons who have myasthenia gravis have a

thymus gland tumor. The thymus gland is surgically removed
(thymectomy) if you have a tumor called a thymoma.

References-

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/
myasthenia-gravis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352040
2. https://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-
myasthenia-gravis-basics
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31048702/
#:~:text=Myasthenia%20gravis%20(MG)%20is%20an,in
%20the%20postsynaptic%20muscle%20membrane.
4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-
and-diseases/celiac-disease
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/38085
6. https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/
treatment/