title: Laboratory testing for antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: This is a practical report on laboratory tests for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). After a general definition of APS, this study deals with appropriateness and timing in requesting the determination of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. Lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin (aCL), and anti β2-glycoprotein I (aβGPI) are the mandatory tests to be performed, while other tests are not yet validated for clinical use. Interpretation of results is an important discussed issue that implies a close liaison between clinical pathologists and clinicians. Finally, a personal definition of APS according to aPL antibody profile closes the manuscript.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pengo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banzato
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bison
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Denas
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zoppellaro
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bracco
authors.affiliation: Clinical Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Padayattil Jose
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoxha
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruffatti
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
keywords: Phospholipid; laboratory; syndrome; testing