Caracterización clínico-radiológica de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial y panel de miositis positivo en hospital Santiago Oriente / Clinical-radiological characterization of patients with interstitial lung disease and positive myositis panel at hospital Santiago Oriente

Introducción: Las Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales (EPI) afectan principalmente al intersticio pulmonar, con importante morbimortalidad asociada. Tienen un espectro de posibles etiologías que es cada vez más amplio. Hay una importante causalidad a partir de Enfermedades del Tejido Conectivo (ETC), describiéndose cada vez más casos asociados a Síndrome Antisintetasa, y con diversos patrones radiológicos según serología obtenida, agrupada en "Panel de Miositis" (PaM). El presente estudio de cohorte retrospectiva reúne PaMs realizados en el Hospital Santiago Oriente, correlacionando resultados con manifestaciones clínicas e imagenológicas. Material y Métodos: Se recuperaron 33 PaMs realizados entre 2017 y 2022, y a través de revisión de fichas de los pacientes de quienes provenían las PaMs se consignaron las principales manifestaciones clínicas, imagenológicas y de la serología reumatológica complementaria, estableciendo correlaciones entre múltiples variables. Resultados: Hubo 15 pacientes PaM positivos (45,4%), 8 de ellos (53%) ya contaban con alguna miopatía inflamatoria diagnosticada. Los principales hallazgos clínicos consignados fueron pápulas de Gottron, artritis, eritema heliotropo, Fenómeno de Raynaud y fiebre. El anticuerpo positivo más frecuente fue Ro-52. Se pudo objetivar ANA positivo en 10 casos (66,7%). Se identificó EPI en 66,7% de aquellos con PaM positivo, siendo la Neumonía Intersticial no específica fibrótica con Neumonía en Organización la manifestación más frecuente. No hubo asociación significativa entre manifestaciones imagenológicas y anticuerpos específicos. Se encontró ANA 1/80 en 66,7% de los casos, lo cual no se asoció a mayor riesgo de EPI. Conclusiones: Existe asociación entre varias ETC y las EPI. Destaca la importancia de los hallazgos clínicos para establecer un adecuado índice de sospecha, para dirigir oportunamente el estudio complementario (ej: PaM), y la eventual terapia específica.

Introduction: Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) mainly affect the pulmonary interstitium, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. They have a spectrum of possible etiologies that is increasingly broad. There is an important causality from Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD), describing more and more cases associated with Antisynthetase Syndrome, and with different radiological patterns according to the serology obtained, enclosed into "Panel of Myositis" (PaM). This retrospective cohort study gathers PaMs performed at Hospital Santiago Oriente, PaM results are correlated with clinical and imaging manifestations. Material and Methods: 33 PaMs performed between 2017 and 2022 were saved up and by reviewing the clinical records of the patients from whom the PaMs came, their clinical and radiological manifestations and the results of their complementary rheumatological serology were recorded to establish correlations between multiple variables. Results: There were 15 positive PaMs (45.4%), 8 (53%) of them already had some diagnosed inflammatory myopathy. The main clinical findings reported were Gottron's papules, arthritis, heliotrope erythema, Raynaud's phenomenon, and fever. The most frequent positive antibody detected was Ro-52. Positive ANA could be found in 10 cases (66.7%). PID was identified in 66.7% of those with a positive PaM, being non-specific fibrotic Interstitial Pneumonia with Organizing Pneumonia being the most frequent manifestation. There was no significant association between imaging manifestations and specific antibodies. ANA 1/80 was found in 6.7% of the cases, which was not associated with an increased risk of PID. Conclusions: There is association between several CTEs and EPIs. It is necessary to highlight the importance of the clinical findings to establish an adequate index of suspicion, in order to timely direct the complementary study (eg: PaM), and the eventual specific therapy.

Síndrome antisintetasa: reporte de un caso / Antisynthetase syndrome: a case report

El síndrome antisintetasa es una miopatía inflamatoria idiopática (MII) de origen autoinmune, poco frecuente, que se caracteriza por la presencia de autoanticuerpos antisintetasa ARNt (generalmente anti-Jo1), asociado frecuentemente a miositis, enfermedad pulmonar intersticial, poliartritis, manos de mecánico y fenómeno de Raynaud. Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 45 años de edad que presenta este síndrome con características fenotípicas de dermatomiositis y responde de forma favorable luego de la administración del tratamiento con glucocorticoides asociado a metotrexato.

Anti-synthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy characterized by autoantibodies against tRNA synthetases (most commonly anti-Jo1) with clinical features that include myositis, interstitial lung disease, polyarthritis, mechanic's hands and Raynaud's phenomenon. We report a 45-year-old woman who presented with dermatomyositis phenotypical features and a significant improvement with corticosteroids and metotrexate treatment.

Síndrome antisintetasa: reporte de un caso / Antisynthetase syndrome: a case repor

El síndrome antisintetasa es una miopatía inflamatoria idiopática (MII) de origen autoinmune, poco frecuente, que se caracteriza por la presencia de autoanticuerpos antisintetasa ARNt (generalmente anti-Jo1), asociado frecuentemente a miositis, enfermedad pulmonar intersticial, poliartritis, manos de mecánico y fenómeno de Raynaud. Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 45 años de edad que presenta este síndrome con características fenotípicas de dermatomiositis y responde de forma favorable luego de la administración del tratamiento con glucocorticoides asociado a metotrexato.

Anti-synthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy characterized by autoantibodies against tRNA synthetases (most commonly anti-Jo1) with clinical features that include myositis, interstitial lung disease, polyarthritis, mechanic's hands and Raynaud's phenomenon. We report a 45-year-old woman who presented with dermatomyositis phenotypical features and a significant improvement with corticosteroids and metotrexate treatment.

Clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome and positive anti-Ro52 antibody / 中华内科杂志

To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The clinical data of 203 ASS patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatment and outcome were collected including data of 18 patients with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). In total, the majority were women (148,72.9%). The average onset age was (51.9±13.3) years. There were 163 (80.3%) patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The positivity in women (77.3% vs. 55.0%, P=0.004) was higher, and the median time from disease onset to diagnosis [4.5 (2.0, 24.0) months vs. 2.0 (1.0, 12.0) months, P=0.024] was longer in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody than those negative. Compared with negative patients, patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody had a higher incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (96.9% vs. 65.0%, P<0.001), arthritis (33.7% vs. 17.5%, P=0.046), and arthralgia (39.3% vs. 20.0%, P=0.022). Higher rate of positve antinuclear antibody (ANA) (85.3% vs. 55.0%, P<0.001), lower rate of positive anti-Jo-1 antibody (32.5% vs. 50.0%, P=0.039), lower albumin level [(34.6±5.2) g/L vs. (37.3±4.7) g/L, P=0.004] and lower lymphocyte counts [(1.4±0.8) ×10 9/L vs. (1.8±0.8) ×10 9/L, P=0.014] were more common in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The presence of anti-Ro52 antibody is associated with a particular phenotype of ASS, leading to common ILD, involvement of joints, high ANA positivity, low albumin and low lymphocyte counts.

High YKL-40 serum levels and its expression in the muscle tissues of patients with antisynthetase syndrome

Abstract Background: The protein chitinase-3-like-1 (YKL-40) is rarely analyzed in patients with myositis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate YKL-40 serum levels; correlate them with laboratory and clinical parameters, disease status, and treatment schemes; and analyze the YKL-40 expression in the muscle tissues of patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASSD). Methods: This cross-sectional single-center study included 64 adult patients with ASSD who were age-, gender-, and ethnicity-matched to 64 healthy control individuals. Their YKL-40 serum levels were analyzed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit method, while YKL-40 expression in muscle tissues was analyzed using an immunohistochemical technique. Disease status was assessed using the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) set scores. Results: The patients' mean age was 44.8 ± 11.8 years, and median disease duration was 1.5 (0.0-4.0) years. These patients were predominantly female (82.8%) and Caucasian (73.4%). Most patients had stable disease. The median YKL-40 serum level was significantly higher in patients with ASSD when compared to the healthy individuals: 538.4 (363.4-853.1) pg/mL versus 270.0 (201.8-451.9) pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.001. However, YKL-40 serum levels did not correlate with any clinical, laboratory, disease status, or therapeutic parameters (P > 0.050), except tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) serum levels (Spearman's correlation, rho = 0.382; P = 0.007). YKL-40 was highly expressed by inflammatory cells found in muscle biopsy specimens. Conclusions: High YKL-40 serum levels were observed in patients with ASSD and correlated positively with TNF-α serum levels. Moreover, YKL-40 was expressed by the inflammatory cells of the muscle tissue.

Contribución del panel de miositis en el estudio de pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales y sospecha de enfermedad del tejido conectivo / Contribution of myositis panel in the study of patients with interstitial lung disease and suspicion of connective tissue disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: La manifestación extramuscular de las miopatías inflamatorias idiopáticas (MII) es la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) y el diagnóstico se basa en autoanticuerpos séricos. Los nuevos anticuerpos específicos y asociados a MII han ayudado a identificar nuevas entidades clínicas en el espectro de MII. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la contribución diagnóstica de un panel de anticuerpos de miositis (PM) en una cohorte de pacientes chilenos con EPI sin una enfermedad del tejido conectivo (ETC) definitiva. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: A partir de enero de 2017 se realizó un panel de miositis a 111 pacientes consecutivos con EPI y sospecha de ETC, pero sin un diagnóstico definitivo a través de otra herramienta diagnóstica, en el programa de Pulmón-Reumatológico del Instituto Nacional del Tórax, Santiago, Chile. Se compararon las características basales clínicas y serológicas de los pacientes que se asociaban más frecuentemente a la probabilidad de tener un panel positivo. RESULTADOS: El PM fue positivo en 56 de 111 pacientes. El síndrome antisintetasa (SAS) fue el diagnóstico más frecuente. Los anticuerpos más frecuentes fueron Ro-52, PM / Scl-75 y Ku. Las variables más frecuentes en el grupo PM(+) fueron la presencia del Raynaud, miositis, manos de mecánico, los anticuerpos Ro y La positivos, la presencia de un patrón combinado de neumonía intersticial inespecífica y neumonía organizada en la tomografía computarizada de tórax. CONCLUSIONES: la incorporación del PM nos ha ayudado a mejorar nuestra precisión diagnóstica en pacientes con EPI / ETC. Presentamos elementos clínicos y serológicos que perfeccionan el rendimiento de la prueba.

INTRODUCTION: The most common extramuscular manifestation of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) is interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the diagnosis is based on serum autoantibodies. The new specific and associated antibodies to IIM have helped to identify new clinical entities in the spectrum of IIM. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic contribution of a myositis antibodies panel (MP) in a cohort of Chilean patients with ILD without a definitive connective tissue disease (CTD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting on January 2017 we performed a MP to 111 consecutive patients with ILD and suspected CTD but without a definitive diagnosis through another diagnostic tools in the Lung-Rheumatological Program at the "Instituto Nacional del Tórax", Santiago, Chile. The clinical and serological baseline characteristics of the patients that were most frequently associated with the probability of having a positive panel were compared. RESULTS: The MP was positive in 56 of 111 patients. Anti synthetase syndrome (ASS) was the most prevalent diagnosis. The most frequent antibodies were Ro-52, PM/Scl-75 and Ku. The most frequent variables in the positive MP group were the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, myositis, mechanic's hands, positive Ro and La antibodies and the presence of combined pattern of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and organizing pneumonia in chest computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of the MP has helped us to improve our diagnostic precision of patients with CTD/ILD. We present clinical and serological elements that refine the performance of the test.

Síndrome antisintetasa en paciente con COP como afección pulmonar / Antisynthetase Syndrome in Patient with COP as Pulmonary Disease

El síndrome antisintetasa es una miopatía inflamatoria autoinmune que puede presentar afectación pulmonar intersticial. La presencia de anticuerpos antisintetasa se relaciona con una mayor incidencia de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial. El patrón imagenológico y anatomopatológico de la EPID es variable, fundamentalmente inflamatorio. En el caso presentado se describe una paciente con miopatía inflamatoria y compromiso pulmonar presentando un patrón tomográfico de neumonía organizativa. Se destaca la importancia de elevar el índice de sospecha de síndrome antisintetasa ante un paciente con compromiso pulmonar y miopatía, siendo fundamental para arribar a un diagnóstico la evaluación multidisciplinaria. Se realiza una revisión de la evidencia al respecto en la discusión del caso

The antisynthetase syndrome is an autoimmune inflammatory miopathy that may show interstitial pulmonary involvement. The presence of antisynthetase antibodies is related to a higher incidence of interstitial pulmonary involvement. The imaging and anatomopathological pattern of diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease (DIPD) is variable, mainly inflammatory. This case describes a female patient with inflammatory miopathy and pulmonary involvement who shows a tomographic pattern of organizing pneumonia. It is important to increase suspicion for antisynthetase syndrome in a patient with pulmonary involvement and miopathy, where multidisciplinary evaluation is fundamental to reach a diagnosis. A review of the evidence is made in the discussion of the case.

Antisynthetase syndrome with positive anti-Ro52 antibody: A report of 2 cases and literature review / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To summarize the relationship between anti-Ro-52 antibody and anti-synthase syndrome(ASS)by analyzing the diagnosis and treatment of ASS patients with positive anti-Ro-52 antibody, and to clarify its significance. Methods: The clinical materials of 2 ASS patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody were collected,and the clinical characteristics were analyzed; combined with literature review, the relationship between anti-Ro-52 antibody and ASS was explored.Results: Two young female patients were admitted to hospital because of the obvious symptoms of both hand joints. On physical examination, arthroncus of both hand joints was observed, both hands showed "mechanic hand", muscle strength and muscle tension of limbs were normal. The activity of creatine kinase was increased. Myositis antibody spectrum, lung CT, electromyography and muscle biopsy were performed and the patients were given the related treatments after confirmed diagnosis. The anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro-52 antibodies were strongly positive in the myositis antibody spectrum of the two patients; the lung CT results showed interstitial pheumonia;the electromyogram results indicated myogenic damage; the results of muscle biopsy was consistent with the changes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. Both patients were diagnosed as ASS. After treatment of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents, the symptoms were improved and the creatine kinase activity was decreased. No disease activity and secondary tumor signs were found in the follow-up.Conclusion: As a myositis-associated antibody,anti-Ro-52 antibody can lead to a series of atypical clinical manifestations in the ASS patients and may be associated with the poor prognosis of the ASS patients. Follow-up should be paid attention to.

Clinical and imaging features of 60 cases of antisynthase syndrome with different anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibodies / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical,serological and imaging features of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) patients with different positive anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthase (ARS) antibodies.Methods The demographic characteristics,major clinical data,serological parameters,high resolution CT (HRCT) imaging features and pulmonary function characteristics in 60 cases of ASS [including 42 cases with positive anti-histidine tRNA synthetase (Jo-1) antibody,and 7 cases with positive anti-threonyl tRNA synthetase (PL-7) antibody,5 cases with positive anti-alanyl tRNA synthetase (PL-12) antibody,3 cases with positive anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase (E J) antibody and 3 cases with positive anti-leucyl tRNA synthetase (OJ) antibody] were collected.The differences in ASS patients with different positive ARS antibodies were analyzed by the x2 test and Fisher exact test.Results ① The ASS with different positive ARS antibodies was common in patients with DM/PM,[60％ (36/60),28％ (17/60)],and also appeared in patients with other connective tissue diseases,such as RA(5％,3/60),SS(3％,2/60),SLE(2％,1/60),etc.With ASS diagnosed,ILD complicated with myositis was the most common clinical features (63％,38/60).Typical clinical triad syndrome (myositis,ILD and arthritis) in 52％(31/60) patients,and myositis complicated with ILD,and mechanics hands accounted for 38％ (23/60) respectively.Some patients were complicated with isolated arthritis (25％,15/60),myositis (23％,14/60) and ILD (13％,8/60).The typical triad syndrome (myositis,ILD and arthritis) only accounted for 5％(3/60).The incidence of Jo-1,EJ and OJ antibodies [71％(30/42),100％(3/3),100％(3/3)] was significantly higher than that of PL-12 antibody (20％,1/5).There was a statistically significant difference (x2=5.263,P＜0.05;x2=4.8,P＜ 0.05;x2=4.8,P＜0.05).② The positive rate of ANA was 98％(59/60).Furthermore,the fluorescence staining model of anti-OJ antibody ANA was spotted,and the other subtypes were cytosolic.The positive rate of anti-SSA-52 antibody was 45％(27/60),and there was no statistical difference between the subtypes (P＞0.05).③ The ILD incidence of different positive antibodies had no significant difference in 82％ (49/60) ASS patients with ILD.The lung function in patients with ASS-ILD showed restrictive ventilation and diffused dysfunction.Grid shadow (76％,37/49) and grind glass (35％,17/49) were the most common signs of HRCT.Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (78％,38/49) was the most common subtype of ILD.The incidence of traction bronchiectasis in ASS patients with PL-12 antibody (75％,3/4) was higher than that in ASS patients with Jo-1 antibody (22％,8/36).The incidence of pleural effusion in ASS patients with OJ antibody (100％,2/2) was significantly higher than that in ASS patients with Jo-1 antibody (17％,6/36).The incidence of pericardial effusion in ASS patients with PL-7 antibody (75％,3/4) was significantly higher than that in ASS patients with Jo-1 antibody (19.4％,7/36).All the differences were statistically significant (x2=5.26,P＜0.05).The ASS-ILD lung function indicated restrictive ventilatory function and diffusion dysfunction.④ There was no significant difference in clinical data,serological indicators,ILD imaging findings,interstitial lung types and lung function between Jo-1 antibody and non-Jo-1 antibody ASS patients (P＞0.05).Conclusion The ASS with different positive ARS antibodies is very common in patients with DM/PM,and is also observed in patients with other connective tissue diseases.ILD and myositis are the most common clinical features of ASS,followed by the typical triad syndrome (myositis,ILD and arthritis).Myositis is commonly observed in ASS patients with Jo-1,EJ and OJ antibodies,while is rarely observed in ASS patients with PL-12 antibody.The diagnosis of ASS should be alert to the onset of isolated arthritis or ILD.Anti-SSA-52 antibody may be related to ASS.NSIP is the most common HRCT pattern in ASS-ILD patients.There are some differences in signs among various subtypes,indicating that the difference of fibrosis in the lung and inflammatory reactions in the body being correlated with the ASS specificities.

Clinical features and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in antisynthetase syndrome / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in antisynthetase syndrome(AS-ILD)and to compare the characteristics among AS specificities. Methods A total of 59 cases with AS-ILD at our hospital during the last 5 years were retrospectively reviewed, including anti-Jo1 positive in 37 cases and anti-PL7 positive in 6 cases and anti-PL12 positive in 6 cases and anti EJ positive in 10 cases. There were 14 males and 45 females aged (51 ± 12) years. The clinical features including myositis, arthritis, fever,"mechanic's hands", rash, proximal dysphagia, raynaud phenomenon were identified. Two radiologists evaluated the pattern, distribution and the ILD pattern of the lung abnormalities on HRCT findings. Based on the anti synthetase antibody positive subtype, 59 patients could be divided into four groups;then the differences of clinical features and HRCT findings between different subtypes were analyzed. X2 test was performed for the comparison of the differences between anti-Jo1 antibody positive and the other 3 group. Results (1)Myositis and arthritis were the most common AS manifestations, which were 61.02%(36/59)and 50.85%(30/59) respectively.(2)The lung abnormalities were predominantly basal(91.53%, 54/59) and peripheral(59.32%, 35/59). Ground-grass opacities(79.66%, 47/59)and reticulations(76.27%, 45/59) were found most frequently. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) was the most common HRCT pattern(64.41%, 38/59).(3)As compared with anti-Jo1 positive AS patients, anti-PL12 positive AS patients showed a high rate of traction bronchiectasis at diagnosis(83.33%, 5/6), while the difference was statistically significant(χ2=7.206, P=0.015). The prevalence of pericardial effusion(40.00%, 4/10) was significantly higher in the group of the anti-EJ positive AS patients than that with anti-Jo1 antibody AS(χ2=6.317, P=0.044). Conclusions Myositis and arthritis are the predominant clinical features. NSIP is the most common HRCT pattern in AS-ILD patients. There are some differences of signs among various subtypes, indicating that the difference of fibrosis in the lung and inflammatory reaction in the body being correlated with the AS specificities.

Clinical features and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in antisynthetase syndrome / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in antisynthetase syndrome(AS-ILD)and to compare the characteristics among AS specificities. Methods A total of 59 cases with AS-ILD at our hospital during the last 5 years were retrospectively reviewed, including anti-Jo1 positive in 37 cases and anti-PL7 positive in 6 cases and anti-PL12 positive in 6 cases and anti EJ positive in 10 cases. There were 14 males and 45 females aged (51 ± 12) years. The clinical features including myositis, arthritis, fever,"mechanic's hands", rash, proximal dysphagia, raynaud phenomenon were identified. Two radiologists evaluated the pattern, distribution and the ILD pattern of the lung abnormalities on HRCT findings. Based on the anti synthetase antibody positive subtype, 59 patients could be divided into four groups;then the differences of clinical features and HRCT findings between different subtypes were analyzed. X2 test was performed for the comparison of the differences between anti-Jo1 antibody positive and the other 3 group. Results (1)Myositis and arthritis were the most common AS manifestations, which were 61.02%(36/59)and 50.85%(30/59) respectively.(2)The lung abnormalities were predominantly basal(91.53%, 54/59) and peripheral(59.32%, 35/59). Ground-grass opacities(79.66%, 47/59)and reticulations(76.27%, 45/59) were found most frequently. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) was the most common HRCT pattern(64.41%, 38/59).(3)As compared with anti-Jo1 positive AS patients, anti-PL12 positive AS patients showed a high rate of traction bronchiectasis at diagnosis(83.33%, 5/6), while the difference was statistically significant(χ2=7.206, P=0.015). The prevalence of pericardial effusion(40.00%, 4/10) was significantly higher in the group of the anti-EJ positive AS patients than that with anti-Jo1 antibody AS(χ2=6.317, P=0.044). Conclusions Myositis and arthritis are the predominant clinical features. NSIP is the most common HRCT pattern in AS-ILD patients. There are some differences of signs among various subtypes, indicating that the difference of fibrosis in the lung and inflammatory reaction in the body being correlated with the AS specificities.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as the Initial Clinical Manifestation of an Antisynthetase Syndrome / 결핵및호흡기질환

Antisynthetase syndrome has been recognized as an important cause of autoimmune inflammatory myopathy in a subset of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis. It is associated with serum antibody to aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases and is characterized by a constellation of manifestations, including fever, myositis, interstitial lung disease, mechanic's hand-like cutaneous involvement, Raynaud phenomenon, and polyarthritis. Lung disease is the presenting feature in 50% of the cases. We report a case of a 60-year-old female with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which later proved to be an unexpected and initial manifestation of anti-Jo-1 antibody-positive antisynthetase syndrome. The present case showed resolution of ARDS after treatment with high-dose corticosteroids. Given that steroids are not greatly beneficial in the treatment of ARDS, it is likely that the improvement of the respiratory symptoms in this patient also resulted from the prompt suppression of the inflammatory systemic response by corticosteroids.

Síndrome Antissintetase: relato de dois casos e revisão da literatura / Antisynthetase Syndrome: two case reports and literature review

A Síndrome Antissintetase (SAS) é caracterizada por miosite, fenômeno de Raynaud, febre, doença pulmonar intersticial, artropatia e mãos de mecânico associados à presença de anticorpos contra a sintetase do RNAt especialmente anti-Jo-1. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar a literatura sobre SAS e relatar dois casos, sendo o caso 1 de uma paciente com Polimiosite que desenvolveu, após alguns anos de doença, subluxação da articulação interfalangeana proximal do primeiro quirododáctilo direito, associada a manifestações pulmonares e anti-Jo-1 positivo. O caso 2 é de uma paciente com Dermatomiosite que evoluiu com subluxação dos dois primeiros quirodáctilos, anti-Jo-1 positivo e alterações pulmonares intersticiais na TC de tórax, porém assintomática. Esses casos demonstram a importância do diagnóstico precoce. Os autores descrevem dois casos dessa síndrome rara, enfatizando a sua gravidade do ponto de vista pulmonar e articular.

Antisynthetase Syndrome (ASS) is characterized by myositis, Raynaud's phenomenon, fever, interstitial lung disease, mechanic's hands and arthropathy associated with the presence of antibodies against tRNA synthetase, especially anti-Jo-1. This article aims to review the literature on ASS and report two cases where the first is a patient with polymyositis who developed subluxation on the proximal interphalangeal joint of bilateral first right finger after a few years of the disease, associated with pulmonary manifestations and positive anti-JO-1. In the second case, we present a patient with dermatomyositis, who developed a subluxation of the two first fingers, anti-Jo1 positive and chest CT changes, but without clinical evidence of pulmonary involvement. These cases reveal the importance of performing early diagnosis. The authors describe two cases of this rare syndrome, emphasizing the severity of interstitial lung disease and arthritis.

Síndrome antisintetasa / Antisynthetase syndrome

El Síndrome Antisintetasa, es una enfermedad poco frecuente perteneciente al grupo de las miopatías inflamatorias de origen inmunológico. Su caracterización inmunológica es muy variable y de allí las distintas manifestaciones clínicas de su presentación y su difícil diagnóstico. Se presenta un paciente femenino de 42 años de edad, con diagnóstico de Artritis Reumatoide (AR), con 9/10 puntos por puntaje para AR por EULAR 2011, anti-CCP +, RF -, desde octubre de 2011, en tratamiento con Prednisona y Metotrexate. Acude en febrero de 2012 por presentar disnea progresiva y tos con expectoración verdosa. Recibe antibioticoterapia sin respuesta. Se realiza TC de Tórax dónde se evidencia fibrosis pulmonar y bronquiectasias por tracción, con imágenes en panal de abeja a predominio de segmentos inferiores y posteriores. Durante su estancia hospitalaria presenta debilidad muscular proximal con elevación de CK a 4.969 U/L. , se realiza biopsia de músculo, que reporta miopatía inflamatoria; electromiografía, con patrón característico de miopatía inflamatoria y perfil inmunológico, obteniéndose Anti-Jo1 positivo, 0,885 (Negativo < 0,250). En el contexto de un síndrome poliarticular inflamatorio, una enfermedad pulmonar intersticial y una miopatía inflamatoria proximal con Anti Jo-1 (+); se realiza diagnóstico definitivo de Síndrome Antisintetasa.

This is a rare disease, member of the inflammatory myopathies of immunological origin. It has a very variable immunologic profile which makes the diagnosis difficult. We present a female patient 42 years- old, with the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), with 9/10 points of EULAR 2011 Score for RA diagnosis and RF -, Anti CCP +, in October of 2011; her treatment at that time was prednisone and methotrexate. In February of 2012, she consulted to the emergency with dyspnea and productive cough. She received antibiotics with no response. The chest Computerized Tomography evidenced pulmonary fibrosis, traction bronchiectasis and honeycombe images in posterior and inferior segments of both lungs. During her hospitalization, she presented proximal muscular weakness with CK elevation to 4.969 U/L. The muscle biopsy, which concluded inflammatory myopathy, the electromyography had the characteristic pattern of inflammatory myopathy and the immunologic profile, with a positive Anti-Jo1 0,885 (Negative <0,250). In the context of a polyarticular syndrome, an interstitial lung disease and a proximal inflammatory myopathy with a positive Anti-Jo1, we made the final diagnosis of Antisynthetase syndrome.

Síndrome antissintetase: anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12 e anti-EJ / Anti-synthetase syndrome: anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12 and anti-EJ

OBJETIVOS: Devido à escassez de trabalhos na literatura, realizamos análise de uma série de pacientes com síndrome antissintetase (SAS) do tipo anti-PL-7, PL-12 e EJ. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte, retrospectivo, envolvendo 20 pacientes com SAS (8 com anti-PL-7, 6 com PL-12, 6 com EJ), em acompanhamento em nosso serviço, entre 1982 e 2012. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes ao início da doença foi de 38,5 ± 12,9 anos, e a duração da doença de 4,5 ± 6,4 anos. Setenta por cento dos pacientes eram brancos e 85% eram mulheres. Sintomas constitucionais ocorreram em 90% dos casos. Todos apresentavam fraqueza muscular objetiva dos membros; ao diagnóstico, 30% encontravam-se acamados e 65% com disfagia alta. Envolvimento articular, pulmonar e fenômeno de Raynaud ocorreram, respectivamente, em 50%, 40% e 65% dos casos; mais da metade dos pacientes apresentava pneumopatia incipiente, opacidade em vidro-fosco e/ou fibrose pulmonar. Não houve casos de envolvimento neurológico e/ou cardíaco. Todos receberam prednisona e, como poupadores dessa medicação, diferentes imunossupressores, dependendo da tolerância, efeitos colaterais e/ou refratariedade da doença. De relevância, os pacientes com anti-EJ apresentaram maiores taxas de recidiva. Dois pacientes evoluíram para óbito ao longo do seguimento, e um paciente teve neoplasia mamária na ocasião do diagnóstico da doença. CONCLUSÕES: A SAS (anti-PL-7, PL-12 e EJ) afetou predominantemente mulheres brancas. Embora os autoanticorpos descritos no presente estudo estejam mais relacionados com o acometimento pulmonar comparativamente ao articular, nossos pacientes apresentaram uma porcentagem significativa de ambos e com percentagem alta de miopatia. Além disso, houve menor taxa de mortalidade.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the scarcity of studies in the literature, we conducted an analysis of a series of patients with the anti-PL-7, PL-12 and EJ types of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients with ASS (8 with anti-PL-7, 6 with PL-12, 6 with EJ) monitored in our department between 1982 and 2012. RESULTS: The mean patient age at disease onset was 38.5 ± 12.9 years, and the disease duration was 4.5 ± 6.4 years. Of all the patients, 70% were white and 85% were female. Constitutional symptoms occurred in 90% of cases. All patients presented objective muscle weakness in the limbs; in addition, 30% were bedridden and 65% demonstrated high dysphagia at diagnosis. Joint and pulmonary involvement and Raynaud's phenomenon occurred in 50%, 40% and 65% of cases, respectively, with more than half of the patients presenting incipient pneumopathy, ground-glass opacity and/or pulmonary fibrosis. There were no cases of neurological and/or cardiac involvement. All patients received prednisone or other immunosuppressants depending on tolerance, side effects and/or disease refractoriness. Importantly, patients with the anti-EJ type of ASS demonstrated higher rates of recurrence. Two patients died during follow-up, and 1 patient had breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: ASS (anti-PL-7, PL-12 and EJ) was found to predominantly affect white women. Although the autoantibodies described in the present study are more related to pulmonary than joint involvement, our patients showed a significant percentage of both types of involvement and a high percentage of myopathy. We also observed a low mortality rate.

A Case of Dermatomyositis with Acute Interstitial Pneumonitis Manifested as Antisynthetase Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

Dermatomyositis is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the skin, skeletal muscle, and occasionally, other organs, such as the lung. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious lung complication, which can occur in patients with dermatomyositis. It affects the prognosis of the disease and requires a more aggressive therapeutic approach. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may be associated with systemic inflammatory disorders and autoantibody production. In particular, anti Jo-1 antibody has long been recognized as an important predictive factor in systemic manifestations of ILD in dermatomyositis. We report here a case of a 42 year old woman with cutaneous lesions typical of dermatomyositis, showing clinical features of antisynthetase syndrome, which showed rapid progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Síndrome Antisintetasa / Antisynthetase syndrome

El síndrome antisintetasa es una entidad poco frecuente, incluida dentro del grupo de las miopatías inflamatorias idiopáticas. Se caracteriza por la presencia de anticuerpos antisintetasa, fiebre, miositis, enfermedad pulmonar intersticial, poliartritis, fenómeno de Raynaud y manos de mecánico.

The antisynthetase syndrome is a rare condition that has been included in the group of idiopatic inflammatory skeletal muscle disease. The presence of antisynthetase autoantibody, fever, myositis, intersticial lung disease, polyarthritis, Raynaud´s phenomenon and “mechanic´s hands” represent the main characteristics of antisynthetase syndrome.

A Case of Rituximab Treatment for Interstitial Lung Disease in a Patient with Antisynthetase Syndrome / 대한류마티스학회지

The clinical manifestations of antisynthetase syndrome are severe interstitial pneumonitis, mild polyarthritis, and myositis. This disease is accompanied by anti-Jo-1 antibodies and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and occasionally by the concurrence of anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, which leads to a more severe form of interstitial lung disease. In this case, the patient was transferred to our hospital because of pulmonary fibrosis with myositis and diagnosed with antisynthetase syndrome and the concurrence of anti-Jo-1 with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. He was refractory to glucocorticoids, and developed leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. He was treated with rituximab infusions, but the interstitial pneumonitis progressed very rapidly and he died.

Two Cases of Antisynthetase Syndrome Combined with Mechanic's Hand / 대한류마티스학회지

The antisynthetase syndrome is characterized by inflammatory myositis associated with intersititial lung disease (ILD), polyarthritis, mechanic's hand, and Raynaud's phenomenon, and usually with fever. The patients with these conditions have autoantibodies to aminoacy1-tRNA synthetases (histidy1-, threony1-, alany1-, isoleucy1-, and glycy1-tRNA synthetase) ; the most common is anti-histidy1-tRNA sythetase (anti Jo-1), present in 20% of myositis patients in Western countries. However, the mechanisms of production of autoantibodies to aminoacy1-tRNA synthetases are not understood. Several hypotheses about the relationship of anti-aminoacy1-tRNA synthetases with inflammatory myositis have been reported. The poor prognostic outcome for the antisynthetase patients are related to ILD. We experienced two cases of antisynthetase syndrome which have characterized by the clinical manifestations, and report these cases with a review of the literatures.