The inflammatory myopathies, commonly described as idiopathic, are the largest group of acquired and potentially treatable myopathies. On the basis of unique clinical, histopathological, immunological, and demographic features, they can be differentiated into three major and distinct subsets: dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion-body myositis. Use of new diagnostic criteria is essential...

A young pregnant lady of 26 years age, presented with recent onset weaKness of legs. On examination, she was only able to move legs from side to side and lift the arms with difficulty. Rest of neurological and systemic examination did not reveal any abnormality. On investigations, there were raised serum muscle enzyme levels, hyperthyroid hormone profile, myopathy on electromyography and myosit...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Polymyositis (PM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy manifested by proximal limb muscles weakness, elevated creatinin kinase, electromyography changes, and muscle inflammation in biopsy. We report an instance of intensive rehabilitation therapy in a patient with clinically active polymyositis. CASE REPORT A 19-year-old female patient, diagnosed with 'electromyogra...

Polymyositis mediated by gamma/delta T cells is a unique disease in which autoaggressive T lymphocytes surround, invade, and destroy muscle fibers. Histochemically, the vast majority of muscle-infiltrating T cells in a patient with polymyositis were reactive with a pan-gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR)-specific monoclonal antibody (TCR-delta 1+), but unlike > 90% of peripheral blood gamma/delta...

CONTEMPORARY TOPICS © 1998 by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 94 The term eosinophilic myositis or polymyositis is used to describe a diverse, heterogeneous group of diseases in human beings and animals. One form of the disease may be associated with parasites that invade muscle tissue, such as Trichinella or Sarcocystis (1–4). In human beings, it has been described as a ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the results of recent therapeutic trials in dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis and suggests an approach to treating patients with inflammatory myopathy. RECENT FINDINGS We reviewed 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled therapeutic trials in patients with inflammatory myopathy. Only one, using intravenous immunoglobulin in refractory...