• Q Zhang, Y Hu, L Zhang, Y Li, H Yin, and J Li.
• Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Clinical College, China Medical University, Shengyang 110001.
• Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi. 1998 Apr 1; 36 (4): 239-41.

ObjectiveTo assess the distribution and clinical significance of B-lymphocyte subgroup CD20 in patients with myasthenia gravis.MethodB-lymphocyte subset CD20 was studied in patients with thymomas associated with or without myasthenia gravis using immunohistochemistry technique.ResultThe moderate and obvious aggregation of CD20 positive cells was found in patients with myasthenia gravis, there was a significant difference when compared with those patients without myasthenia gravis (chi(2) = 26.032, P < 0.01). There was negative correlation between the distribution of CD20 positive cells and the staging of thymomas (gamma = 0.07), and no correlation between the distribution and clinical type of myasthenia gravis (gamma < 0.4).ConclusionThe results of this study indicated that pathological changes of thymus are more important than those of thymomas itself in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. The degree of B-lymphocyte subgroup aggregation can not truly reflect clinical status because of the heterogeneity of antibody against acetylcholine receptor.

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