Fever and rhabdomyolysis in a recent traveler: A case report of an uncommon presentation of anti-synthetase syndrome

Anti-synthetase syndrome is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase autoantibodies. As an overlap disease, it can present heterogeneously with Raynaud's phenomenon, rash, arthritis, interstitial lung disease, or myositis. Rhabdomyolysis is not commonly seen. Diagnosis of anti-synthetase syndrome is based on autoantibody positivity and clinical presentation and may be supported by muscle biopsy. We describe an unusual case of a 28-year-old woman with anti-Jo-1 anti-synthetase syndrome presenting with isolated rhabdomyolysis without lung or skin involvement. Our case also describes concurrent influenza infection as a potential trigger for anti-synthetase syndrome. This case illustrates the variability and potential severity of this rare syndrome.