Antiprothrombin antibody: why do we need more assays?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) diagnosis relies on specific laboratory tests including anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI) antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant (LA).
• The role of antibodies against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (aPS/PT) in APS diagnosis is under recent investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic value of aPS/PT antibodies for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
• To compare the diagnostic utility of aPS/PT with established APS markers like aCL.
• To explore aPS/PT as a potential confirmatory test for APS-associated LA.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of aPS/PT assays.
• Assessment in a cohort of patients with diverse autoimmune disorders.
• Comparison of aPS/PT results with aCL and LA status.

Main Results:

• Antibodies against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (aPS/PT) demonstrate diagnostic value comparable to aCL for APS.
• A strong association was observed between aPS/PT antibodies and the presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA).
• Most APS patients positive for aPS/PT also tested positive for LA.

Conclusions:

• aPS/PT antibodies are closely associated with APS and LA, distinguishing them from antibodies against prothrombin alone.
• aPS/PT antibodies hold significant potential as a diagnostic marker for APS.
• Further research into aPS/PT assays, particularly ELISA-based methods, is warranted for confirmatory testing of APS-associated LA.