AUTHOR=Camelo-Filho Antonio E. , Silva André M. S. , Estephan Eduardo P. , Zambon Antônio A. , Mendonça Rodrigo H. , Souza Paulo V. S. , Pinto Wladimir B. V. R. , Oliveira Acary S. B. , Dangoni-Filho Iron , Pouza Ana F. P. , Valerio Berenice C. O. , Zanoteli Edmar 

TITLE=Myasthenia Gravis and COVID-19: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.01053

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.01053

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p>Myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, may be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. We conducted an observational retrospective study with 15 consecutive adult MG patients admitted with COVID-19 at four hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Most patients with MG hospitalized for COVID-19 had severe courses of the disease: 87% were admitted in the intensive care unit, 73% needed mechanical ventilation, and 30% died. Immunoglobulin use and the plasma exchange procedure were safe. Immunosuppressive therapy seems to be associated with better outcomes, as it might play a protective role.</p>