Laboratory Evaluation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: An Update on Autoantibody Testing

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is as an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and/or specific pregnancy-related morbidity associated with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies, namely, lupus anticoagulant and IgG and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin and beta2 glycoprotein I. Optimal antibody detection plays a central role in diagnosis and classification. This review discusses antiphospholipid antibodies helpful for diagnosing APS. It includes the criteria and noncriteria antiphospholipid antibodies, methods for their detection, and challenges for clinical reporting and interpretation. The significance of using specific noncriteria antiphospholipid tests in an integrated diagnostic approach with criteria antiphospholipid makers for the diagnosis and management of APS is also reviewed.