Anti-synthetase Syndrome Complicated by Pyogenic Myositis

Anti-synthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies against aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetases. Inflammatory myopathy and interstitial lung disease could be present among other manifestations. Anti-Jo-1 is the most common antisynthetase antibody and is the most likely to present with the classic triad (interstitial lung disease, myositis, and arthritis), and includes more muscle and joint involvement than patients with other antisynthetase antibodies.

Here, we present a case of a 60-year-old female patient with a previous diagnosis of myositis, secondary to the anti-synthetase syndrome, a complication of pyogenic myositis.

The diagnosis of anti-synthetase syndrome is made by a multidisciplinary approach, and occasionally, muscle and/or lung biopsy is needed. Imaging studies, especially magnetic resonance imaging, based on findings such as muscle and fascial edema, and fatty tissue replacement, allow an optimal approach.