The combination of different antiphospholipid antibody subgroups in the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases is a strong predictor for thrombosis. A retrospective study from a single center.
OBJECTIVE
[corrected] To determine the distribution of different antiphospholipid antibodies (APL-Ab) and their association with thrombosis in patients with autoimmune diseases.


METHODS
Clinical data and laboratory features of 30 patients with different autoimmune diseases with positive APL-Ab were retrospectively studied for a period of more than two years. Anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-phosphatidylserine (aPS) and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (abeta2-GPI) antibodies were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
Autoantibodies that target only PS were detected in 53.3% (n = 16) patients, aCL antibodies only were found in one patient (3,3%). In 43.3% (n = 13), aPS were associated with elevated levels of aCL and/or abeta2-GPI antibodies. No thrombotic event occurred in patients with aPS antibodies only compared to 6 patients from the group with different APL-Ab during 808 +/- 92 days of observation.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of different antiphospholipid antibody subgroups seems to be a predictor for thrombosis. The presence of aPS antibodies without additional aCL or abeta2-GPI is not associated with thrombosis. The measurement of the APL specificities in addition to the aCL antibodies may be important to develop predictive markers for the risk to develop thrombotic events.
von Landenberg
Philipp
P
Dept. of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Germany. philipp.landenberg@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Schölmerich
Jürgen
J
von Kempis
Johannes
J
Lackner
Karl J
KJ
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000276:immunology; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I