[Anticardiolipin antibody in peripheral arterial diseases]

Antiphospholipid antibodies can be detected by three methods; agglutination reactions with a cardiolipid antigen (VDRL, Kline, Kolmer) as observed in false positive syphilitic serologies; secondly coagulation reactions using thromboplastin (activated cephalin time, diluted thromboplastin time, Stipven time...). These cases are called lupus-like or, better, antiprothrombinase circulating antibody; finally, solid phase immunological tests (ELISA, RIA) with purified phospholipids, usually cardiolipin. The antiphospholipid antibodies detected by this method are not the same and the percentage of concordance between the two tests does not exceed 50 per cent. These antibodies are present in 30 to 60 per cent of patients with disseminated lupus erythematosus and also, less frequently, in other connective tissue disorders. They are always found in the so-called primary antiphospholipid syndrome, featuring recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis, repeated abortion, thrombocytopenia, and often a livedo reticularis and leg ulceration. Arterial thrombosis may occur in any part of the body (eye, central nervous syste, visceral or peripheral arteries). Mortality is related to neurological or coronary complications. The pathogenicity of antiphospholipid antibodies has not been formally demonstrated, but they could interact with membrane phospholipids of the vascular endothelium and/or platelets. Immuno-suppressor therapy is not very effective and long-term anticoagulant and/or platelet antiaggregant therapy is usually required.