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Chloroquine myopathy and myasthenia‐like syndrome
Author(s) -
Sghirlanzoni Angelo,
Mantegazza Renato,
Mora Marina,
Pareyson Davide,
Cornelio Ferdinando
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880110205
Subject(s) - chloroquine , medicine , discontinuation , myasthenia gravis , myopathy , muscle biopsy , pathogenesis , dermatology , biopsy , immunology , malaria
A young woman on chronic corticosteroid treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus developed a myasthenia‐like syndrome 7 weeks after starting chloroquine therapy. Discontinuation of chloroquine allowed symptomatic and immunological remission within 6 months. Ocular symptoms reappeared following a second short course of chloroquine. A motor‐point biopsy revealed a vacuolar myopathy with membranous bodies in intramuscular nerves. We discuss the possible role of chloroquine in the pathogenesis of a myasthenia‐like syndrome.