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1Department of Medicine , Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan. at3tat@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Insights
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) diagnosis can be improved by testing for antibodies against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (aPS/PT). These antibodies show similar diagnostic value to anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and are linked to lupus anticoagulant (LA).
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.
Abstract:
Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI) antibodies and lupus anticoagulant (LA) are the only laboratory tests considered within the revised criteria for the classification of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Recently, the significance to assay the antibodies against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (aPS/PT) has been discussed, and these antibodies, rather than antibodies against prothrombin alone, are closely associated with APS and LA. The sensitivity and specificity of aPS/PT for the diagnosis of APS were assessed in a population of patients with a variety of autoimmune disorders. The aCL and aPS/PT have similar diagnostic value for APS, and most of APS patients with aPS/PT had positive LA. Therefore, aPS/PT should be further explored, not only for research purposes, but also as a candidate for one of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based confirmatory test for APS associated LA.
