Infectious Rice Body Formation in a Patient with Anti-aminoacyl-t RNA Synthetase Syndrome: A Case Report

CASE An adult woman with anti-aminoacyl-t RNA synthetase syndrome developed pain and swelling of both hands and her left forearm, initially diagnosed as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Surgical exploration revealed multiple "rice bodies," and the specimen grew Mycobacterium intracellurale. She subsequently received antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION In the diagnosis of rice body formation in musculoskeletal tissues, it is necessary to consider not only rheumatic diseases but also mycobacterial infection.