Autoantibody to signal recognition particle in African American girls with juvenile polymyositis

Anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP) is a myositis-specific autoantibody that is linked to a severe polymyositis (PM) associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and esophageal dysmotility in adults. We describe 3 African American adolescent girls with anti-SRP juvenile PM. One child required aggressive treatment to control her disease and 2 were refractory to multiple immunosuppressants. Patient 1 developed ILD and cardiac disease; Patient 2 developed ILD; Patient 3 developed esophageal dysmotility and cardiac disease. Organ system involvement was comparable to that seen in adults. We conclude that testing for anti-SRP in children with PM may facilitate diagnosis and management.