[Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies in idiopathic livedo reticularis].
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic livedo reticularis can be a sign of systemic disease since certain complications are frequently associated: cerebral thrombotic events in Sneddon's syndrome, necrotic ulcerations of the lower limbs. Antiphospholipid antibodies have been found in 0 to 85 p. 100 of patients with Sneddon's syndrome and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies in 65 p. 100 of a series of 20 cases with Sneddon's syndrome. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies in idiopathic livedo reticularis.


METHODS
Twelve patients in a series of 17 with idiopathic livedo reticularis seen between 1981 and 1992 were studied progressively. All underwent a clinical examination and simple laboratory tests with search for anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus type circulating anticoagulant and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies.


RESULTS
Eight of our 12 patients (60 p. 100) were positive for anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies, 3 of whom also had episodes of thrombosis similar to those described in antiphospholipid syndrome. Only one of the 8 patients also had anticardiolipin antibodies and no chronic manifestation of thrombosis.


CONCLUSIONS
beta 2-glycoprotein 1 is a cofactor which increases anticardiolipin antibody adhesion to cardiolipin in ELISA. Anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies are associated with thrombosis and antiphospholipid antibodies with lupus. Our results would suggest that the prevalence of anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies is high in idiopathic livedo, but, due to the small number of patients, do not allow confirmation that anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies are associated with thrombosis. Anti-beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibody assay would be justified in routine evaluation of patients with livedo and at follow-up examinations.
Aubry
F
F
Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Bichat, Paris.
Crickx
B
B
Nicaise
P
P
Labarre
C
C
Viard
J P
JP
Belaïch
S
S
D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000032:analysis*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
Les anticorps anti-Bêta 2 glycoprotéine 1 dans le livedo reticularis idiopathique.