title: Detection of antisynthetase syndrome in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) is characterized by autoantibodies to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (anti-synthetase) and it is frequently associated with interstitial lung disease. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the prevalence and characteristics of the anti-synthetase positive subpopulation among idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) and to clarify the importance of screening for these antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed in 198 consecutive cases with IIPs. Screening for six anti-synthetase antibodies was performed in all cases. Clinical profiles of all cases were compared with reference to the presence of anti-synthetase. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of anti-synthetase positive cases were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  13 cases (6.6%) were positive for anti-synthetase. Anti-EJ was most prevalent, followed by anti-PL-12. Onset ages of anti-synthetase positive cases were younger than those of anti-synthetase negative cases. Extrapulmonary features of ASS were absent in 6 anti-synthetase positive cases (46.2%). Histologically, among 5 UIP with lymphoid follicles and 11 NSIP cases, the prevalence of anti-synthetase positive cases was 8/16 (50%). On HRCT, ground glass opacity and traction bronchiectasis were the major findings in anti-synthetase positive cases, while honeycombing was absent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-synthetase positive cases were not rare among IIPs. Anti-synthetase should be screened for in IIPs, especially in pathological NSIP or UIP with lymphoid follicles. These patients should be screened for anti-synthetase even if no suggestive extrapulmonary manifestation exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kizuku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Kiminobu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanizawa
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobashi
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Kensaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aihara
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Sonoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Tsuneyo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mimori
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mishima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D011233:Precipitin Tests / Q000379:methods; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases