title: Antiphospholipid antibodies and the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
abstract: The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a multiple-system disorder characterized by persistently elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and/or arterial or venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or recurrent spontaneous abortion. Anticardiolipin antibodies and the lupus anticoagulant are different classes of antiphospholipid antibodies associated with this disorder. Cutaneous manifestations are common and may be the presenting sign of the underlying disease. This article reviews the clinical manifestations, laboratory assays, histopathologic features, and treatment of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63104, USA.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Nahass
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D010743:Phospholipids