HLA-B8 Antigen has been associated with which pair of diseases?

HLA-B8 is a human leukocyte antigen that has been extensively studied in relation to various autoimmune diseases. The association between HLA-B8 and both myasthenia gravis and celiac disease is well-documented in immunological research. Myasthenia gravis is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles, which occurs when antibodies block or destroy the communication between nerves and muscles. HLA-B8 has been linked to an increased susceptibility to this condition due to the genetic predisposition it conveys.

Similarly, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The presence of HLA-B8, along with HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, helps to identify individuals at higher risk for developing this condition, reinforcing the relationship between this antigen and the disease.

While HLA-B8 has been implicated in other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease, it is the specific combination of myasthenia gravis and celiac disease that stands out in association with HLA-B8, making this pairing the correct answer.