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.