Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40352702›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of case reports in internal medicine2025

Atypical Bulbar Myasthenia Gravis in an Elderly Male Unmasked by Levofloxacin: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Mrudula Thiriveedi, Anil Chimakurthy, Siddharth Patel, Sujatha Baddam, Rafik ElBeblawy, Punuru J Reddy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European journal of case reports in internal medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mrudula ThiriveediDepartment of Internal Medicine, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Decatur, USA.
Anil ChimakurthyDepartment of Neurology, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Decatur, USA.
Siddharth PatelDepartment of Internal Medicine, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Decatur, USA.
Sujatha BaddamDepartment of Internal Medicine, Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, USA.
Rafik ElBeblawyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Decatur, USA.
Punuru J ReddyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Decatur, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that typically presents with ocular symptoms. Isolated bulbar symptoms, such as dysphagia and dysarthria, are rare, and most commonly seen in men with late-onset MG. We report one such rare case of MG in an 82-year-old male presenting with progressive bulbar weakness, seemingly triggered by levofloxacin use. Case Report: An 82-year-old male with multiple comorbidities presented with progressive weakness, dysphagia, and drooling following levofloxacin therapy. Examination revealed neck drop, weak lower facial muscles, and dysarthria. Initial neuroimaging and labs were inconclusive. Neurology initiated pyridostigmine with rapid improvement. Elevated acetylcholine receptor antibodies confirmed MG. He was started on efgartigimod alfa in the outpatient setting with improvement in MG composite scores. Conclusions: Atypical bulbar MG can mimic other neurologic disorders and is prone to delayed diagnosis, especially in the elderly. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly when symptoms worsen after medication exposures like fluoroquinolones. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. LEARNING POINTS: Levofloxacin can exacerbate or unmask myasthenia gravis.

Indexed as

acetylcholine receptor antibodiesautoimmune neuromuscular disorderbulbar symptomselderlylevofloxacinMyasthenia gravis

Identifiers

PMID40352702
PMCPMC12061212

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