ANTISYNTHETASE SYNDROME AND THE POSITION OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGIST

Abstract

Antisynthetase syndrome is a clinical and laboratory syndrome that develops in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and is characterized by the development of interstitial lung disease, namely fibrosing alveolitis syndrome, resistance to traditional corticoid therapy and the presence of myositis-specific antibodies.We present a clinical case of an antisynthetase syndrome in a middle-aged patient who has presented severe myalgic syndrome, photodermatosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon. The disease debuted with cutaneous (heliotropic erythema, erythematous rash on the skin of the upper torso) and myalgic symptoms, fever with next adding of the joint syndrome, as well as lung damage (pulmonitis and infiltrates). Immunological testing revealed anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-12-, anti-PL-7 antibodies («Polycheck», BIOCHECK, Germany). Since years, the patient has got the diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome. The use of combined pulse therapy with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone, as well as the addition of high doses of vitamin D3 has contributed to the regression oflung damage and reduction of dermatomyositis activity.