Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease. Under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system protects against infection from invading bacteria and viruses. In MG, the immune system produces antibodies that become overactive and cause undesirable effects. These antibodies, called acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR), destroy or block certain receptor sites, resulting in muscle weakness. During plasmapheresis (also called plasma exchange), these abnormal antibodies are removed from the bloodstream.
Plasmapheresis is a procedure in which blood is separated into cells and plasma (liquid). The plasma is removed and replaced with fresh frozen plasma, a blood product called albumin
and/or a plasma substitute. The procedure is often referred to as plasma exchange.
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