title: An increase of anticardiolipin antibody in association with stroke and chronic chemical exposure.
abstract: A chemical worker working with urea-formaldehyde resin hazard for 20 years suffered cerebral ischemia in association with an increase of blood beta2-glycoprotein I-dependent anticardiolipin antibody (aCL)-IgG and IgM isotype, and a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Major histocompatibility complex antigen showed DR4 positivity. On follow-up for over 6 years, aCL-IgG and aPTT decreased to reference range but aCL-IgM was still abnormally high despite a cessation of exposure. This patient highlights the induction of antibody-mediated thrombosis in chronic chemical exposure, especially in an individual with subclinical autoimmune disorder. The role of environment for coagulopathic vascular thrombosis is warranted for investigation.
authors.affiliation: Stroke Biology Research Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Hsi
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Chung-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia-Shou
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014508:Urea / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D005557:Formaldehyde; C028278:urea formaldehyde foam; D014508:Urea