title: As compared to kaolin clotting time, silica clotting time is a specific and sensitive automated method for detecting lupus anticoagulant.
abstract: Lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are antiphospholipid antibodies capable of interfering with the coagulation system and modifying in vitro the phospholipid-dependent clotting tests. Colloidal silica was used as activator to perform an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in 73 plasma samples with pathologically elevated kaolin clotting time (KCT) values using a photooptical automated coagulometer. Samples were incubated for 5 min with micronized silica, and after recalcification, the clotting times were measured. Pathologically prolonged results were confirmed by a confirmation and a neutralization test adding platelet-poor normal plasma (PPNP) and natural phospholipids, respectively. Silica clotting time (SCT) was abnormally elevated in 72/73 (98.6%) (mean ratio 1.71 +/- 0.28) KCT positive samples and normalized (mean ratio 1.03 +/- 0.16) after adding natural phospholipids to test plasma. The values expressed as SCT and KCT ratios were significantly correlated (r = .92; P < .001). SCT was normal in 40 healthy subjects utilised as controls (mean ratio 0.99 +/- 12). Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of SCT were 98.6%, 100% and 97.6%, respectively. Our data suggest that SCT is a sensitive test for detecting LA with a prolonged KCT in automated photooptical coagulometers. This peculiarity makes it particularly useful, in combination with diluted Russel viper venom time (dRVVT), for large-scale screening tests on LA.
authors.affiliation: Thrombosis Centre, Department Biotecnologie Cellulari ed Ematologia, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. francescodragoni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dragoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faillace
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Redi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bongarzoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avvisati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007616:Kaolin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor; D010743:Phospholipids; D007616:Kaolin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide