Anti-cardiolipin antibodies IgG/IgM

General Information

Anticardiolipin autoantibodies, IgM, IgG, are arterial and venous thrombosis-associated antibodies that characterize primary antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. (Cardiolipin antibodies are often, but not always, the cause of lupus anticoagulant activation.)

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are also found in patients who do not have systemic lupus erythematosus, but have unspecified arterial-venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, spontaneous abortions.

Anticardiolipin antibodies are one group of antiphospholipid antibodies. The discovery of these antibodies led to the formation of a new disease called antiphospholipid syndrome. Antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms. Antiphospholipid antibodies have also been found in some infections and cancers. In phospholipid syndrome, B2-glycoprotein-1 autoantibodies are often associated with anticardiolipin antibodies. Anticardiolipin antibodies are represented by IgM, IgG and IgA classes. IgG is the most common form.

Anticardiolipins may be positive in patients without obvious signs of thrombosis.

When should we take the test?

In a study of primary antiphospholipid syndrome

In systemic lupus erythematosus and thrombotic complications of other connective tissue pathologies

during neurological pathologies

During thrombosis associated with pregnancy and spontaneous abortions

In unexplained thrombocytopenia

Interpretation

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are one of the diagnostic criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome. It is found in 30-40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In both cases, positive indicators of antibodies predispose to arterial and venous thrombosis, spontaneous abortions and thrombocytopenia. However, it should also be noted that the antibody titer is not related to the severity of the disease. Since the increase of anti-cardiolipin antibodies may be related to infectious processes, it is recommended to repeat the study in 8-12 weeks.

Research material

Venous blood

Recommended in conjunction with a lupus anticoagulant trial