Vasculitis
Anti-Cardiolipin
(phospholipid) antibodies (ACA)
Anti-cardiolipin
antibodies (ACA) belong to the group
of anti-phospholipid antibodies. Recent
studies have indicated that raised levels
of ACA IgA as well as ACA IgG and ACA
IgM are strongly associated with venous
and arterial thrombosis, thrombocytopaenia,
recurrent foetal loss and myocardial
infarction as well as neurological conditions.
High levels of anti-cardiolipin antibodies
represent an increased risk factor for
future thrombotic events.
The
term "anti-phospholipid syndrome"
(APS) describes a subset of patients
who present with thrombosis, thrombocytopaenia
and recurrent foetal loss, in association
with ACA antibodies or the lupus anticoagulant.
This occurs most frequently in patients
with SLE but is present in non-SLE patients.
Anti-cardiolipin
antibodies are routinely detected by
ELISA, using cardiolipin as the antigen.
Recent observations have indicated that
50kD serum factor is necessary for ACA
to bind to cardiolipin. This co-factor
was later identified as
b2-glycoprotein-1
(b2-GP1).
Though the function of b2-GP1
remains unclear it is certain that the
presence of b2-GP1
facilitates the binding of the ACA to
cardiolipin. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
especially at low levels are found in
a variety of clinical disorders unrelated
to APS.
A
comprehensive range of ELISA and control
materials are available for the clinician
to assess the risk factors involved,
please select all or the option that
best suits your laboratory.
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