COVID-19’s Link to Myasthenia Gravis: New Research Insights

Over the years, studies have found connections between COVID-19 and multiple autoimmune neurological disorders. In 2020, the first reported case of myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with COVID-19 was identified in a patient with high levels of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in their serum. Acetylcholine receptors, which are needed to activate muscle contractions, are generally blocked or destroyed with antibodies in myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis results in symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, and muscle weakness, and can lead to respiratory failure. Previous studies have found that COVID-19 could increase the risk of triggering or worsening MG.

A new study published this year looks at patients who develop MG before and after the Dec. 8, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2023 COVID-19 outbreak in China. The study found that new-onset MG after the COVID-19 outbreak had different patterns than MG cases before the outbreak. While new-onset MG patients after the outbreak had higher rates of pulmonary infections, they had milder disease. The study also finds that new-onset MG cases after the outbreak had a higher onset age of ocular MG and altered seasonal onset patterns. This study took place in one study center and the researchers hope to gain a more comprehensive view by using multi-center studies.

Citation

Huang, Y., Wu, Y., Zhou, S., Que, X., Jiang, A., Shi, D., Lu, T., Chen, Y., Lin, Z., Liu, C., Wen, Y., Zhang, S., & Huang, W. (2025). The characteristics of new-onset myasthenia gravis after COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study. Virology journal, 22(1), 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02774-y