A Case of Polymyositis with Anti-Histidyl-t-RNA Synthetase (Jo-1) Antibody Syndrome following Extensive Vinyl Chloride Exposure

Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomers is known to induce Raynaud’s phenomenon, periportal fibrosis, liver angiosarcoma and scleroderma-like syndrome. We report the first case of occupational polymyositis in a 58-year-old man exposed to vinyl chloride. A dysimmune process was strongly suspected as having induced vinyl chloride disease. Our patient had an anti-histidyl-t-RNA-synthetase (Jo1) antibody, which has never to our knowledge been reported in this occupational disease.