Journal Information
Vol. 100. Issue 4.
Pages 293-298 (1 April 2024)
Vol. 100. Issue 4.
Pages 293-298 (1 April 2024)
Scientific Letter
Full text access
Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy: antibodies and forecast. A literature review
Miositis necrotizante autoinmune: anticuerpos que marcan el pronóstico. Revisión de la literatura
Visits
1103
Blanca Toledo del Castilloa,
Corresponding author
btoledodc@hotmail.com

Corresponding author.
, Francisco Javier Rodriguez Represab, Francisco Arias Lottoc, Juan Carlos Nieto Gonzálezd
a Sección de Pediatría Interna Hospitalaria, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
b Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
c Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
d Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
This item has received
Article information
Full Text
Bibliography
Download PDF
Statistics
Figures (1)
Tables (1)
Table 1. Review of the literature on paediatric cases of anti-SRP immune-mediated necrotising myositis.
Full Text
Dear Editor:

Autoimmune inflammatory myopathies constitute a broad clinical spectrum and, depending on the involved autoantibodies, can have an unfavourable prognosis with involvement of different organs. Anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) antibodies are present in fewer than 1% of children with these diseases and are associated with a poor prognosis, giving rise to necrotising myopathy with poor response to steroid therapy and multiple system involvement, and a high morbidity and mortality.

We present the case of a girl aged 11 years who reported progressive muscle weakness and myalgia with onset 3 months prior, with inability to climb steps or get up from the floor in the past week. She had no personal or family history of interest. The physical examination evinced significant muscle weakness in the axial muscles of the neck, the pelvic girdle, the shoulder girdle and dorsal and lumbar back, and occasional choking on ingestion of fluids, with a score of 9/52 in the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale. The patient weighed 52 kg and had a body surface area of 1.51 m2. Blood tests evinced elevation of creatine phosphokinase (CPK, 11 426 U/L [normal range, 26–192]), aldolase (94.2 IU/L; [normal range, 1–7.5]), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, 1513 U/L [normal range, 120–300]), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 137 IU/L [normal range, 5–31]) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 193 U/L [normal range, 10–31]).

An extensive differential diagnosis was performed during the hospital stay, ruling out infectious, neurologic, metabolic, toxic, endocrinological and oncological causes. The autoimmunity study was positive for anti-SRP-54 and anti-52 kDa Ro/SSA antibodies. Electromyography evinced significant inflammatory myopathy and magnetic resonance imaging muscle changes with a bilateral, symmetrical and multifocal patchy myofascial pattern and oedema predominantly found in the pelvic girdle and the proximal lower extremity muscles (Fig. 1a). Based on the suspicion of immune-mediated inflammatory myositis, high-dose systemic steroid therapy was initiated, which did not achieve a clinical response or, initially, a change in laboratory markers (intravenous boluses of methylprednisolone at 125 mg/day for 5 days followed by prednisone at a dose of 60 mg/day). The muscle biopsy showed myopathic changes with some necrotic and some regenerating fibres and little inflammation. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed focal sarcolemmal HLA class I expression and diffuse expression in the cytoplasm of p62 forming aggregates in scattered fibres, all features compatible with immune-mediated necrotising myositis (Fig. 1b and c). On account of the possibility of systemic involvement, the patient underwent an extensive evaluation that included: cardiological assessment with echocardiography, which evinced adequate biventricular function and absence of valve insufficiency, spirometry and lung diffusion testing evincing adequate lung function, and assessment of swallowing with an upper gastrointestinal series in which the video fluoroscopy findings were normal. Given the lack of response to steroid therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg), methotrexate (6.6 mg/m2/week: 10 mg) and rituximab (375 mg/m2; first dose: 500 mg with a second dose 15 days later) were added, in addition to intensive physical therapy, which achieved a progressive decrease of muscle enzymes. At present, 2 years after diagnosis, the patient receives methotrexate weekly (5 mg) and intravenous immunoglobulin monthly (1 g/kg), and remains stable in terms of both clinical and laboratory features. The patient has not developed additional symptoms, does not suffer from dysphagia and the cardiovascular and pulmonary assessments show no complications, and her muscular strength has improved significantly, allowing her to be independent in her activities of daily living (Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale 45/52).

Figure 1.

(a) Magnetic resonance imaging showing muscle changes with bilateral, symmetrical and multifocal patchy myofascial pattern, with significant involvement of the quadriceps, hamstring and adductor muscles. (b) Histological examination of muscle biopsy specimen: variation in size of muscle fibres and a necrotic fibre in centre of image without significant inflammation. The inset shows an image characteristic of myophagocytosis. (c) Histological examination of muscle biopsy specimen: focal sarcolemmal HLA class I expression. The inset shows diffuse expression of p62, forming aggregates, in the cytoplasm of a muscle fibre.

(0.3MB).

When a patient presents with muscle weakness and hyperCKaemia, the differential diagnosis must be broad, including infectious, neurologic, metabolic, toxic, endocrinological, oncological and autoimmune aetiologies. The autoimmune screen can provide information regarding the prognosis of the patient and the changes found in the muscle biopsy examination. The inflammatory myopathies with the least favourable prognoses are necrotising myopathies associated with anti-SRP and anti-HMGCR antibodies.

At present, there are only 40 reported cases of paediatric patients with anti-SRP immune-mediated necrotising myositis in the scientific literature (PubMed search through July 2023). Table 1 presents the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of these patients.

Table 1.

Review of the literature on paediatric cases of anti-SRP immune-mediated necrotising myositis.

Article (authors and year of publication)  Case (sex, age, race/ethnicity)  Presentation at onset  Laboratory findings  Symptoms  Treatment  Outcome 
Rider et al, 1994  Female, 10 years, Caucasian  Abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and weakness  CK 8316 IU/LAldolase 89 IU/L  Cutaneous exanthemaDilated periungual capillariesArthritis in knee and anklesMild pulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateIVIG (1 g/kg)  Clinical improvement 
Suzuki et al, 2008  Male, 11 years, Asian  Weakness of trunk and extremities with scapulohumeral atrophy  CK 4180 IU/L  Dysphagia  Steroid therapy  Clinical improvement 
Rouster-Stevens et al, 2008 (3 cases)  Female, 16 years, African American  Upper arm and neck flexor weakness, wrist arthritis and Raynaud disease  CK 22 155 IU/L  Interstitial pulmonary involvementLVH  Steroid therapyMethotrexateHydroxychloroquineCyclophosphamideTacrolimusMycophenolateInfliximab  Ovarian failureHaemolytic uraemic syndromeNew post-infectious episodeSevere mobility impairment 
  Female, 14 years, African American  Weakness of upper and lower extremities, wrist arthritis following infectious disease  CK 22 857 IU/L  Interstitial pulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateMycophenolateCiclosporinInfliximabIVIG IV (1 g/kg)  Recurrence with new infectionSevere mobility impairment 
  Female, 11 years, African American  Proximal limb weakness, arthritis and Raynaud disease following a viral respiratory infection  CK 33 000 IU/L  DysphagiaLVH  Steroid therapyMethotrexateMycophenolateCiclosporinInfliximabAzathioprineIVIG (1 g/kg)  Mild mobility impairment 
Takada et al, 2009  Female, 17 years, Asian  Skin rash  CK 6543 IU/L  –  Steroid therapyCiclosporin  Clinical improvement 
Suzuki et al, 2011 (2 cases)  Female, 5 years, Asian  Frequent fallsProximal muscle weakness in extremities and muscle atrophy  CK 4629 IU/L  –  Steroid therapy  Severe mobility impairment 
  Female, 9 years, Asian  Seven months of extremity and trunk weakness, frequent falls  CK 2467 IU/L  –  Steroid therapyMethotrexateCyclophosphamideTacrolimus  Severe mobility impairment 
Kawabata et al, 2012  Female, 15 years, Asian  Asymptomatic CK elevation following infectious disease. At 1 month, proximal extremity weakness and progressive asthenia  CK 20 375 IU/LAldolase 236 IU/L  Dysphagia  Steroid therapyCyclophosphamideAzathioprinePlasmapheresis  Mild mobility impairment 
Luca et al, 2012  Female, 12 years  Proximal weakness, alopecia, dysphagia and Raynaud disease in the past month  CK 8825 IU/L  Pulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateAzathioprineIVIGRituximabLeflunomide  Marked improvement 
Rider et al, 2013 (6 cases)  4 female, 2 male 11.6−16.1 years  Two with insidious course, 1 with slow progression and 3 with acute onset of muscle weakness  CK 9111−22 857 IU/L  Dysphagia 50%Pulmonary involvement 83%-Cardiac involvement 50%-Cutaneous involvement 66%  –  – 
Monomura et al, 2014  Female, 15 years, Asian  Weakness of upper extremities following infectious disease, with subsequent development of weakness in lower extremities and asthenia  CK 20 375 IU/LAldolase 263 IU/L  Dysphagia  Steroid therapyPlasmapheresisCyclophosphamideAzathioprine  Marked improvement at 1 year. Able to jog 
Suzuki et al, 2015 (5 cases)  8 patients  –  –  –  –  – 
Kobayashi et al, 2016  Female, 8 years, Asian  Muscle pain and weakness of 2 years’ durationAcute progression following influenza infection  CK 5896 IU/LAldolase 63.9 IU/L  –  Steroid therapyMethotrexateIVIGTacrolimus  Improvement of weakness 
Zao et al, 2017 (3 cases)  Female, 4 years  Weakness in lower and upper extremities of 6 months’ duration. Myalgia  CK 4020 IU/L  –  IVIG (0.4 mg/kg)Steroid therapy  After 12 months, able to stand without assistanceMarked improvement 
  Female, 11 years  Proximal weakness of upper and lower extremities, rapid progression in 2 meses  CK 4660 IU/L  –  IVIG (0.4 mg/kg)Steroid therapy  At 18 months, able to walk without assistance, marked improvement 
  Female, 12 years  Weakness of lower extremities with onset 2 years prior and rapid progression to the upper extremities  CK 13 265 IU/L  Dysphagia  IVIG (0.4 mg/kg)Steroid therapy  Marked improvement 
Binns et al, 2017 (3 cases)  Female, 14 years  4 months of proximal weakness, swollen ankles, myalgia and headache  CK 23 111 IU/L  DysphagiaPulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateRituximabIVIG (2 g/kg)  Pneumonitis due to CMVMarked improvement 
  Female, 13  Four weeks of proximal weakness, swollen eyelids, myalgia and dyspnoea  CK 25 937 IU/L  Pulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateRituximabCyclophosphamideIVIG (2 g/kg)  Marked improvement 
  Female, 11  Proximal weakness, myalgia and arthralgia of one week’s duration following a respiratory infection  CK 19 808 IU/L  Pulmonary involvement Bronchoaspiration  Steroid therapyMethotrexateRituximabCyclophosphamideIVIG (2 g/kg)  Marked improvement 
Kishi et al, 2017 (8 cases)  10.7−16 years  –  –  –  –  – 
Yi et al, 2021  Female, 8 years, Asian  Acute muscle weakness  CK 28 819 IU/L  Dysphagia  Steroid therapyRituximab  Marked improvement 
Della Marina et al, 2021  Female, 8 years  Muscle weakness of 8 months’ duration  CK 10 710 IU/LAldolase 127 IU/L  DysphagiaPulmonary involvement  Steroid therapyMethotrexateIVIG (2 g/kg)Rituximab  Improvement, but with persistence of Gower’s sign and difficulty climbing stairsAvascular femoral necrosis 
Toledo del Castillo et al, 2024  Female, 10 years, Caucasian  Three months of proximal muscle weakness in extremities and trunk  CK 11 426 IU/LAldolase 94.2 IU/L  Dysphagia  Steroid therapyMethotrexateRituximabIVIG  Marked improvement 

CK, creatine kinase; CMV, cytomegalovirus; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy.

It is important to differentiate this disease from other idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in children, given its poor response to conventional treatment and systemic involvement associated with significant morbidity and mortality and frequent relapses. This disease should be suspected in patients with significant proximal weakness in absence or with minimal cutaneous lesions and CK values greater than 10 000 IU/L (20–50 times the upper limit of normal).1

The cases published in the literature are consistent in the poor response to methotrexate/cyclophosphamide associated with steroids. The most recent articles have reported improved outcomes with monthly treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin at a dose of 1–2 g/kg combined with steroids and methotrexate, in addition to rituximab and intensive physical therapy. The use of B cell depletion therapies, chiefly rituximab, is achieving good results in adult patients with anti-SRP immune-mediated necrotising myositis, and is recommended in the current literature as part of an early intensive treatment approach for this disease.2–5 Other drugs used in the previous literature include azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, ciclosporin and abatacept, although the data on their use are still scarce.2

The prognosis of the disease is poorer at early ages, when there is a rapid replacement of affected muscle fibres by fat, so aggressive initial treatments seem to be the best options to prevent disability.3

In conclusion, necrotising myositis should be suspected in patients presenting with proximal muscle weakness that progresses rapidly and with significant elevation of CK in order to make an early diagnosis and start intensive treatment from the early stages, given the lack of response to conventional treatment and the poor prognosis in cases with onset at an early age. Magnetic resonance imaging and, above all, muscle biopsy are useful in severe and refractory cases not only to guide the diagnosis but also due to their prognostic value.

References
[1]
E.L. Binns, E. Moraitis, S. Maillard, S. Tansley, N. McHugh, T.S. Jacques, UK Juvenile Dermatomyositis Research Group (UK and Ireland), et al.
Effective induction therapy for anti-SRP associated myositis in childhood: a small case series and review of the literature.
Pediatr Rheumatol Online J., 15 (2017), pp. 77
[2]
E. Weeding, E. Tiniakou.
Therapeutic management of immune-mediated necrotizing myositis.
Curr Treatm Opt Rheumatol., 7 (2021), pp. 150-160
[3]
I. Pinal-Fernandez, M. Casal-Dominguez, A.L. Mammen.
Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.
Curr Rheumatol Rep., 20 (2018), pp. 21
[4]
X. Ma, B.T. Bu.
Anti-SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy: a critical review of current concepts.
Front Immunol., 13 (2022),
[5]
C.H. Wang, W.C. Liang.
Pediatric immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.
Front Neurol., 14 (2023),
Copyright © 2024. Asociación Española de Pediatría
Download PDF
Idiomas
Anales de Pediatría (English Edition)
Article options
Tools
es en

¿Es usted profesional sanitario apto para prescribir o dispensar medicamentos?

Are you a health professional able to prescribe or dispense drugs?