Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Nikhil A Sangle1, Kristi J Smock
1Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. nikhil_sangle@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Antiphospholipid antibodies are directed against phospholipid-protein complexes and include lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a common cause of acquired thrombophilia and is characterized by venous or arterial thromboembolism or pregnancy morbidity and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Antibodies should be demonstrable on at least 2 occasions separated by 12 weeks. Heterogeneity of the autoantibodies and absence of gold standard assays makes interpretation of laboratory results a challenge for both laboratorians and clinicians. This review discusses the key laboratory and clinical aspects of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Particular focus is given to lupus anticoagulant detection, in view of recently updated laboratory guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
Phosphoinositides and PIPs
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations


