A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil

Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare and acquired immune-mediated disease that leads to wide autonomic failure, mainly characterized by orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, anhidrosis and poorly reactive pupils. This disorder is usually associated with autoantibodies...

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Main Authors: Zhijie Lu, Xiaojie Cao, Mingyu Wang, Fang Peng, Lin Chen, Zegang Yin, Baiyang Zheng, Jin Fan, Mingjie Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1533840/full
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author Zhijie Lu
Xiaojie Cao
Mingyu Wang
Fang Peng
Lin Chen
Zegang Yin
Baiyang Zheng
Jin Fan
Mingjie Zhang
author_facet Zhijie Lu
Xiaojie Cao
Mingyu Wang
Fang Peng
Lin Chen
Zegang Yin
Baiyang Zheng
Jin Fan
Mingjie Zhang
author_sort Zhijie Lu
collection DOAJ
description Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare and acquired immune-mediated disease that leads to wide autonomic failure, mainly characterized by orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, anhidrosis and poorly reactive pupils. This disorder is usually associated with autoantibodies to the ganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (gAChR-Ab). In this study, we describe a case of a gAChR-Ab-positive AAG patient with two therapeutic stages. The patient responded well after the first stage of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and subsequent low-dose prednisone. However, AAG relapsed after stopping oral prednisone. In the second stage, repeated methylprednisolone pulse therapy was less effective than before. Fortunately, multiple plasma exchange treatments improved the patient’s symptoms. In the end, low-dose oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil provided significant improvement in this patient during long-term follow-up. AAG is a relatively rare neuroimmunological disease with insidious onset and confused clinical features, while it responds well to the conventional immunotherapy, and some patients may require a long-term immunotherapy. Emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment in clinical practice. Moreover, it should be noted that the reduction and withdrawal of immunosuppressants should be slow and cautious.
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issn 1664-2295
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spelling doaj-art-364e9cafbcbe4be0a534153af3b68ca32025-01-10T05:10:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-01-011510.3389/fneur.2024.15338401533840A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetilZhijie LuXiaojie CaoMingyu WangFang PengLin ChenZegang YinBaiyang ZhengJin FanMingjie ZhangAutoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare and acquired immune-mediated disease that leads to wide autonomic failure, mainly characterized by orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, anhidrosis and poorly reactive pupils. This disorder is usually associated with autoantibodies to the ganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (gAChR-Ab). In this study, we describe a case of a gAChR-Ab-positive AAG patient with two therapeutic stages. The patient responded well after the first stage of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and subsequent low-dose prednisone. However, AAG relapsed after stopping oral prednisone. In the second stage, repeated methylprednisolone pulse therapy was less effective than before. Fortunately, multiple plasma exchange treatments improved the patient’s symptoms. In the end, low-dose oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil provided significant improvement in this patient during long-term follow-up. AAG is a relatively rare neuroimmunological disease with insidious onset and confused clinical features, while it responds well to the conventional immunotherapy, and some patients may require a long-term immunotherapy. Emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment in clinical practice. Moreover, it should be noted that the reduction and withdrawal of immunosuppressants should be slow and cautious.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1533840/fullautoimmune autonomic ganglionopathyganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptororthostatic hypotensiongastrointestinal dysfunctioncase report
spellingShingle Zhijie Lu
Xiaojie Cao
Mingyu Wang
Fang Peng
Lin Chen
Zegang Yin
Baiyang Zheng
Jin Fan
Mingjie Zhang
A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
Frontiers in Neurology
autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy
ganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
orthostatic hypotension
gastrointestinal dysfunction
case report
title A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
title_full A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
title_fullStr A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
title_full_unstemmed A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
title_short A case of relapsed gAChR-positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
title_sort case of relapsed gachr positive autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy treated by plasma exchange and mycophenolate mofetil
topic autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy
ganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
orthostatic hypotension
gastrointestinal dysfunction
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1533840/full
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