Epidemiological, clinical and immune factors that influence the persistence of antiphospholipid antibodies in leprosy

Abstract Introduction: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are described in individuals with leprosy without the clinical features of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), a condition involving thromboembolic phenomena. We have described the persistence of these antibodies for over 5 years in patients with leprosy after specific treatment. Objectives: To determine whether epidemiological, clinical and immunological factors played a role in the longterm persistence of aPL antibodies in leprosy patients after multidrug therapy (MDT) had finished. Methods: The study sample consisted of 38 patients with a diagnosis of leprosy being followed up at the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Department at the Alfredo da Matta Foundation (FUAM) in Manaus, AM. ELISA was used to detect anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) antibodies. Patients were reassessed on average of 5 years after specific treatment for the disease (MDT) had been completed. Results: Persistence of aPL antibodies among the 38 leprosy patients was 84% (32/38), and all had the IgM isotype. Mean age was 48.1 ± 15.9 years, and 23 (72.0%) were male. The lepromatous form (LL) of leprosy was the most common (n = 16, 50%). Reactional episodes were observed in three patients (9.4%). Eighteen (47.37%) were still taking medication (prednisone and/or thalidomide). Mean IgM levels were 64 U/mL for aCL and 62 U/mL for anti-β2GPI. In the multivariate binary logistic regression the following variables showed a significant association: age (p = 0.045, OR = 0.91 and CI 95% 0.82-0.98), LL clinical presention (p = 0.034; OR = 0.02 and CI 95% = 0.0-0.76) and bacterial index (p = 0.044; OR = 2.74 and CI 95% = 1.03-7.33). We did not find association between prednisone or thalidomide doses and positivity for aPL (p = 0.504 and p = 0.670, respectively). No differences in the variables vascular thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity, diabetes, smoking and alcoholism were found between aPL-positive and aPL-negative patients. Conclusion: Persistence of positivity for aPL antibodies was influenced by age, clinical presentation and bacterial index. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the reason for this persistence, the role played by aPL antibodies in the disease and the B cell lineages responsible for generation of these antibodies.

Acute Longitudinal Myelitis As The First Presentation in Child with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Concurrent with Positive Antiphospholipid Antibody.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system auto-immune disorder that is characterized by widespread immune deregulation, formation of auto–antibodies, and immune complexes, resulting in infl ammation and potential damage to variety of organs. 25-95% it is complicated by neurological or neuropsychiatric symptoms, which is referred to as neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). NPSLE contain both central and peripheral nervous systems, which includes transverse myelitis. We report our experience of concurrent manifestation of transverse myelitis as an initial presentation of SLE, which suggests the common immune-mediated mechanisms of diseases. We here report the case of a 7-year-old girl with SLE who fi rst presented with features of TM. Th e patient developed ascending weakness starting from low extremities, experienced diffi culty in voiding. An initial diagnosis of TM was made on the basis of clinical fi ndings and MRI spine, which displayed T2 weighted high signal intensities at thoracic level. She partially respond to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and serological analysis revealed the presence of anti-dsDNA, anti nuclear antibody with decreased level of complements. Th e diagnosis was revised to acute transverse myelitis resulting from SLE. Additional methylprednisolone pulse therapy led to rapid clinical improvement. Th is was followed by oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. Th e crossreactivity of auto-antibodies and increased susceptibility to infection owing to immunologic changes associated with lupus may form the basis of the association. Systemic Lupus Erytheromyitis should consider as an etiology of transverse myelitis. Aggressive treatment may alter the course and lead to a better outcome.

Prevalence and clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies in Iranian women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage

Antinuclear antibodies [ANAs] in women with recurrent miscarriage have been reported. The presence of moderate to high titers of these antibodies represents an autoimmune condition that can endanger the health of the fetus in pregnant women. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of ANAs in Iranian women with a history of two or more unexplained abortion. 560 women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and 560 healthy controls accounted for this study over a period of 13 months. ANAs were detected by indirect immunofluorescence technique. ANAs were detected in 74 of 560 [13.21%] patient with recurrent miscarriage, and in only 5 of 560 [0.9%] controls [p<0.001]. ANA positivity was generally found with low-positive results [1.40-1.80] in about 38% of positive cases, whereas moderate titres [1.160-1.320] and high titres [>1.640] were seen in about 46% and 16% of cases respectively. Finally evaluating of microscopic ANA patterns revealed that about half of positive cases had antibodies against DNA- histone complex, associated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease. Antinuclear antibodies are not uncommon in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage, suggesting the possible role of an autoimmune disorder on abortion, at least in a subgroup of patients

Auto-anticorpos anti-β2-glicoproteína I e síndrome metabólica / Anti-beta2-glycoprotein I autoantibodies and metabolic syndrome / Anticuerpos anti-β2-glicoproteína I y síndrome metabólico

FUNDAMENTO: A síndrome metabólica (SM) é uma entidade pró-aterogênica. Autoanticorpos tais como β2-glicoproteína I (β2-gpI) podem influenciar o aparecimento de ateromas. Estudos anteriores confirmaram uma associação entre anticorpos IgA anti-β2-gpI e isquemia cerebral, infarto do miocárdio, doença arterial periférica e doença da carótida. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo de caso-controle foi avaliar uma possível associação entre anticorpos anti-β2-gpI e anticardiolipina (aCL) com SM não-complicada. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com SM sem histórico de eventos vasculares e indivíduos-controle, consistindo em pacientes da Enfermaria de Ortopedia admitidos devido a doenças musculoesqueléticas foram incluídos no estudo. Idade, sexo, etnia, histórico de hipertensão, tabagismo, hipercolesterolemia e diabetes mellitus foram avaliados como fatores de risco em ambos os grupos. Anticorpos IgG, IgM, e IgA anti-β2-gpI e aCL foram detectados através de imunoensaios enzimáticos. RESULTADOS: Um total de 68 pacientes com SM e 82 controles foram estudados. Os pacientes com SM tinham média de idade superior à dos controles (P = 0,001), enquanto homens (P = 0,003; OR 0,31; IC95 por cento: 0,15-0,16) e etnia caucasiana (P = 0,004; OR 0,25; IC95 por cento:0,10-0,60) eram predominantes nos controles. Histórico de hipertensão, hipercolesterolemia e diabetes mellitus foi mais prevalente nos pacientes com SM do que nos controles (P < 0.05). A frequência de anticorpos aCL (todos os isotipos) e do IgG e IgM anti-β2 gpI não diferiu de forma significante nos pacientes com SM e controles. Anticorpos IgA anti-β2-gpI foram significantemente mais frequentes nos pacientes com SM (42,2 por cento) do que nos controles (10,9 por cento) (P < 0,001). O OR ajustado para anticorpos IgA anti-β2-gpI foi 3,60 (IC95 por cento: 1,55-8,37; P = 0,003). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostra que níveis elevados de autoanticorpos IgA para β2-gpI podem estar independentemente associados com SM.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a proatherogenic entity. Autoantibodies to phospholipid cofactors such as beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-gpI) can influence atheroma appearance. Previous studies confirmed an association of IgA anti-beta2-gpI antibodies with cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease and carotid disease. OBJECTIVE: This case-control study evaluates a possible association of anti-beta2-gpI and anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies with non-complicated MetS. METHODS: Cases comprised patients with MetS without history of vascular events; controls included individuals from the Orthopedic Infirmary admitted due to musculoskeletal disorders. Age, sex, race, history of hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus were evaluated as risk factors in both groups. IgG, IgM, and IgA anti-beta2-gpI and aCL antibodies were detected by enzymatic immunoassay. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with MetS and 82 controls were studied. Patients with MetS showed mean age higher than controls (P = 0.001), while males (P = 0.003; OR 0.31; 95 percentCI 0.15-0.16) and Caucasian ethnicity (P = 0.004; OR 0.25; 95 percentCI 0.10-0.60) predominated in controls. History of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus were more prevalent in cases than in controls (P < 0.05). The frequency of aCL antibodies (all isotypes) and of IgG and IgM anti-beta2 gpI did not significantly differ in cases and controls. IgA anti-beta2-gpI antibodies were significantly more frequent in MetS patients (42.2 percent) than controls (10.9 percent) (P < 0.001). The adjusted OR for IgA anti-beta2-gpI antibodies was 3.60 (95 percentCI 1.55-8.37; P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The current study shows that elevated levels of IgA autoantibodies to β2-gpI might be independently associated to MetS.

FUNDAMENTO: El síndrome metabólico (SM) es una entidad pro-aterogénica. Autoanticuerpos tales como β2-glicoproteína I (β2-GPI) pueden influir en la aparición de ateromas. Estudios previos han confirmado una asociación entre anticuerpos IgA anti-β2-GPI y la isquemia cerebral, infarto de miocardio, enfermedad arterial periférica y enfermedad carotidea. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio de caso-control fue evaluar una posible asociación entre los anticuerpos anti-β2-GPI y anticardiolipina (aCL) con SM complicada. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron en el estudio a los pacientes con SM sin antecedentes de eventos vasculares y los sujetos control, que consiste en pacientes de la Internación de Ortopedia ingresados debido a enfermedades musculoesqueléticas. Edad, sexo, origen étnico caucásico, antecedentes de hipertensión, tabaquismo, hipercolesterolemia y diabetes mellitus fueron evaluados como factores de riesgo en ambos grupos. Anticuerpos IgG, IgM, e IgA anti-β2-GPI y aCL se detectaron a través de inmunoensayos enzimáticos. RESULTADOS: Un total de 68 pacientes con SM y 82 controles se estudiaron. Los pacientes con SM tenían un promedio de edad superior de los controles (p = 0,001), mientras que los hombres (p = 0,003; OR 0,31; IC95 por ciento: 0,15-0,16) y origen étnico caucásica (p = 0,004; OR 0,25; IC95 por ciento:0,10-0,60) eran predominantes en los controles. Historia de hipertensión, hipercolesterolemia y diabetes mellitus fue más prevalente en los pacientes con SM que en los controles (p < 0,05). La frecuencia de anticuerpos aCL (todos los isotipos) y del IgG e IgM anti-β2 gpI no se distinguió de forma significante en los pacientes con SM y controles. Anticuerpos IgA anti-β2-gpI fueron significantemente más frecuentes en los pacientes con SM (42,2 por ciento) que en los controles (10,9 por ciento) (p < 0,001). El OR ajustado para anticuerpos IgA anti-β2-gpI fue 3,60 (IC95 por ciento: 1,55 a 8,37, p = 0,003). CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio muestra que los niveles elevados de autoanticuerpos IgA para β2-gpI pueden estar independientemente asociados con la SM.

Mutação G20210A no gene da protrombina, fator V de Leiden e anticorpos anticardiolipina não influenciam a sobrevida do enxerto renal após o transplante / Prothrombin G20210A gene mutation, factor V Leiden and anticardiolipin antibodies do not influence renal graft survival after transplantation

Introdução: Complicações tromboembólicas são importantes fatores de risco para perda do enxerto e pior evolução após o transplante renal. pacientes com defeito trombofílico apresentam maior risco de complicações tromboembólicas. Foram analisados, entre receptores de transplante renal, a prevalência de defeito trombofílico e o risco atribuído a esta condição para a perda do enxerto e para o desenvolvimento de tromboses intravasculares. Métodos: estudo do tipo coorte incluindo 388 receptores adultos analisados quanto à presença de trombofilia de acordo com a pesquisa de anticorpos anticardiolipidina (aCL) por ELISA e das mutações G1691A no gene do fator V (FV) e G20210A no gene da protrombina (PT) por PCR multiplex. Resultados: Defeito trombofílico foi identificado em 25,8% dos pacientes. As taxas de sobrevida de 2 anos do enxerto foram semelhantes entre os pacientes com e sem defeito trombofílico (94%, p=0,53), bem como a sobrevida dos enxertos livres de tromboses intravasculares (97% versus 97%, p=0,83). pacientes com defeito trombofílico apresentaram prevalência de tromboses intravasculares semelhante à do grupo-controle (3% versus 3,5%, p=0,82). O transplante renal anterior foi associado a maior risco de perda de enxerto (OR 20,8, p<0,001) e de ocorrência de trombose intravasculares (OR 6,8, p=0,008). Conclusões: As prevalências das mutações FVG1691A e PTG20210A na população estudada foram semelhantes às da população geral não transplantada, e a prevalência de anticorpos aCL superou a observada entre os indivíduos sadios. Não houve associação entre os marcadores de trombofilia estudados e a sobrevida em médio prazo do transplante renal.

Introduction: Thromboembolic complications are important risk factors for graft loss and poor outcome after renal transplantation. patients with thrombophilic defects are at increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Were analyzed, among kidney transplant recipients, the prevalence of thrombophilic defects and the risk attributed to this condition for graft loss and the development of intravascular thrombosis. Methods: A cohort study including 388 adult recipients analyzed for the presence of thrombophilia according to anticardiolipidina antibodies (aCL) by ELISA and gene mutations G1691A in factor V (FV) and prothrombin gene G20210A (PT) by multiplex PCR. Results: thrombophilic defect was identified in 25.8% of patients. The survival rates of two years of the graft were similar between patients with and without thrombophilic defect (94%, p = 0.53), and the survival of free grafts of intravascular thrombosis (97% versus 97%, p = 0 , 83). patients with an increased prevalence of thrombophilic defect intravascular thrombosis similar to the control group (3% versus 3.5%, p = 0.82). Previous renal transplantation was associated with increased risk of graft loss (OR 20.8, p <0.001) and intravascular thrombosis (OR 6.8, p = 0.008). Conclusions: The prevalence of mutations and FVG1691A PTG20210A in this study were similar to those of the general population not transplanted, and the prevalence of aCL antibodies exceeded that observed among healthy individuals. There was no association between markers of thrombophilia studied and medium-term survival in renal transplantation.

Usefulness of Silica Clotting Time for Detection of Lupus Anticoagulants / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA) is a strong risk factor for thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome. We investigated the usefulness of addition of silica clotting time (SCT) to the pre-existing dilute Russell's viper venom test (dRVVT) for detection of LA. Also, we analyzed differences in the thrombotic features and the characteristics of antiphospholipid antibodies between dRVVT and SCT. METHODS: A total of 167 patients positive for LA or anti-cardiolipin (anti-CL) antibody and 76 healthy controls were enrolled. The dRVVT and SCT were used for detection of LA. Anti-CL, anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (anti-beta2 GPI) and anti-prothrombin (anti-PT) antibodies were measured using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: In detection of thrombosis, the sensitivity of the combined test of SCT and dRVVT was 56.4%, which was higher than that of dRVVT alone (46.2%) or SCT alone (23.1%). The specificity of the combined test (80.9%) was comparable to that of dRVVT (81.9%). Also, odds ratio for predicting thrombosis was higher in the combined test than in dRVVT or SCT alone. When normalized LA ratio of the two tests was compared, the group of patients with higher ratio of SCT showed significantly higher prevalence of recurrent abortion and higher positivity of IgG types of anti-CL, anti-beta2 GPI and anti-PT than the group with higher ratio of dRVVT. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of SCT to dRVVT can improve the detection sensitivity of thrombosis in LA test. And the high normalized LA ratio of SCT may be a useful parameter for detection of recurrent abortion.

Thrombophilia and unexplained pregnancy loss in Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of acquired and congenital thrombophilias in the aetiology of unexplained pregnancy loss in the Indian population has not been studied in detail. We studied the association of acquired and inherited markers of thrombophilia in a large group of patients with unexplained pregnancy loss. METHODS: A total of 602 women with pregnancy loss were referred to us for evaluation of thrombophilia between April 2000 and June 2005. After investigations to rule out cytogenetic, hormonal, anatomical and microbiological causes, no cause was ascertained in 430 women for the pregnancy loss. Of these, 49 women, who had a history of only one pregnancy loss, were excluded. The remaining 381 women comprised the study group. These patients and 100 age-matched women who did not have any obstetric complication and had at least one normal healthy child (controls) underwent detailed investigations for the presence of thrombophilia markers. These included screening coagulations tests, tests for lupus anticoagulant (LA), IgG and IgM antibodies to anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), beta2 glycoprotein 1 (beta2GP1) and annexin V. The genetic markers studied included protein C (PC), protein 5 (PS), antithrombin III (AT III), factor V Leiden (FVL), PT gene G20210A, MTHFR C677T, EPCR 23 bp insertion and PAI 4G/5G polymorphisms. RESULTS: Of the 381 women with pregnancy loss, 183 had 2 and 198 had > or = 3 pregnancy losses. Early pregnancy loss occurred in 136 patients, late pregnancy loss in 119, and both early and late pregnancy losses in 126. The strongest association was observed with ACA (OR 32.5, 95% CI: 8.6-21.8, p < 0.001) followed by annexin V (OR 17.1, 95% CI: 2.9-99.4, p < 0.001), LA (OR 8.2, 95% CI: 1.4-47.7, p = 0.01) and anti-beta2GP1 (OR 5.8, 95% CI: 1.6-22.1, p = 0.007). No association of antiphospholipid antibodies with the time of pregnancy loss was found except LA which was significantly associated with early pregnancy loss compared with late pregnancy loss (p < 0.05). The risk of pregnancy loss with PS deficiency (OR 17.8, 95% CI: 3.1-102.9, p < 0.001) was the highest observed for any heritable thrombophilia followed by PC deficiency (OR 5.8, 95% CI: 1-34, p = 0.06). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of any of the genetic thrombophilias studied between women with early and late pregnancy loss. A combination of > or = 2 genetic factors was observed in 41 (10.8%) while that of genetic and acquired risk factors were observed in 79 (20.7%) patients. No more than one risk factor was observed in any of the controls. In all, 176 (46.2%) patients had at least one acquired thrombophilia while 143 (37.5%) had at least one genetic thrombophilia marker. Overall, 288 patients (75.6%) had either an acquired, genetic or both markers of thrombophilia. CONCLUSION: Thrombophilia is an important factor in both early and late pregnancy losses. Women with unexplained pregnancy loss should be screened for the presence of thrombophilias.

Evaluation of anticardiolipin antibodies and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies in women with recurrent abortion.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a major reproductive complication in women, which is characterized by recurrent fetal loss, thrombosis, and thrombocytopenia in association with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). AIMS: To analyze the prevalence of aCL and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (aPS) in relation to pregnancy failures in women with the history of recurrent spontaneous abortion. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A sequential study of 155 patients, who had three or more recurrent spontaneous abortions, was carried out. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss in first trimester were selected for this study. Anticardiolipin antibodies IgG and aPS IgG were detected in the serum by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Percentage calculation was carried out. Two-tailed t-test was performed to know the significance of aCL and aPS total population. RESULT: The levels of aCL IgG and aPS IgG were detected as 40% (62) and 19% (18), respectively in women with history of recurrent abortion. CONCLUSION: Anticardiolipin antibody is found to be the most important factor for recurrent abortion. In addition, women with negative aCL are having positive for another antiphospholipid antibodies like aPS, which may involve in recurrent abortion.

Anticorpos anticardiolipina fixadores de complemento em pacientes com e sem história de trombose / The complement fixing activity of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with without trombosis

Vários estudos têm sugerido a associação dos anticorpos anticardiolipina (aCL) com eventos trombóticos na síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolipídeo (SAF) porém, existe evidência que nem todos os pacientes aCL positivos apresentam episódios trombóticos / A strong link between anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and thrombosis events in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is suggested by many studies but there is evidence that not all aCL positive patients present thrombosis episodes...

Agrupacion diagnostica del sindrome antifosfolipidico con base en los niveles sericos de IgG anticardiolipina / Classificatory limits to diagnosis antiphospholipid syndrome (SAF)

Objetivo: proponer, mediante métodos matemáticos de agrupamiento, límites para la clasificación diagnóstica del síndrome antifosfolipídico (SAF), en pacientes con trombosis venosa o arterial, en relación con los niveles séricos de anticuerpos IgG anticardiolipina (anti-cLP), única variable continua capaz de discriminar el diagnóstico de SAF. Tipo de estudio: estudio descriptivo prospectivo. Lugar y tiempo de estudio: Unidades de Hematología y Reumatología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia con sede en el Hospital San Juan de Dios de Bogotá, entre el 5 de enero de 1998 y el 12 de julio de 2000. Material y métodos: se incluyeron todos los pacientes con edad igual o mayor a 17 años, con eventos incidentes que cumplieran con la definición operacional de evento oclusivo vascular, arterial o venoso. Fueron evaluados en total 42 pacientes, a quienes se les documentó edad, sexo, diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico y se les cuantificó en unidades GPL, mediante técnica de micro ELISA, los niveles séricos de anticuerpos IgG anti-cLP. Se realizó un análisis de conglomerados, combinando un análisis jerárquico aglomerante inicial con un análisis ulterior no jerárquico (de "K-medias"). La matriz de proximidad del análisis jerárquico aglomerante empleó el cálculo de distancias euclidianas para todos los pares de casos, con base en una única variable estandarizada ( IgG anti- cLP). La regla de agrupamiento utilizada fue el promedio entre grupos. Se emplearon la media, la mediana y los valores mínimos y máximos de la variable analizada, para describir las medidas de resumen que determinaron las diferencias entre los grupos. Resultados: la relación mujer: hombre del total de 42 pacientes incluidos, fue 3.7: 1. La interpretación del dendograma elaborado a partir de la matriz de los diferentes coeficientes de aglomeración, indicó que podrían ser tres los conglomerados a formar. Los valores mínimos y máximos de unidades GPL de IgG anti-cLP para cada uno de los tres conglomerados formados fueron: Grupo 1, 7.5 y 49.8; Grupo 2, 61.7 y 109; Grupo 3,174 y 190. Discusión: se propone el diagnóstico de SAF inequívoco en pacientes con trombosis vascular con niveles séricos de anticuerpos IgG anti-cLP iguales o superiores a 50 unidades GPL y considerar otros diagnósticos para títulos inferiores, o bien, complementar el estudio con pruebas para la detección de...

Retinal Vein Occlusion in Two Patients with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Primary antiphopholipid syndrome (APS) is a disease producing vascular thrombus with antiphospholipid antibody without association with autoimmune diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus. Retinal vein occlusion is a rare vascular manifestation in primary APS. We describe 2 cases of primary APS presenting with developing blurred vision. Each had central retinal vein occlusion and high titer of IgG anticardiolipin antibody.

Antiphospholipid antibody positive young stroke: an analysis of 12 cases.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study clinico-investigative profile of 12 young (<45 years) patients with stroke who tested positive for anti phospholipid antibodies (APLA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The diagnostic, clinical, laboratory and radiologic features in 12 APLA positive young patients who presented with stroke were studied. The APLA analysis included estimation of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and lupus anticoagulant (LA). Other relevant tests included anti-nuclear antibody, human immunodeficiency virus, Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory, platelet count, echocardiography and carotid Doppler. APLA positive strokes were those cases where either the immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were raised or LA was positive, and other known causes were excluded. RESULTS: Levels of IgG (aCL) was raised in 11 cases (mild 7, moderate 1, high 3), IgM was elevated in all the 12 cases (moderate 2, high 10). Of the two LA positive cases both were IgM positive but in one IgG was negative. Five patients showed small multiple bilateral cerebral infarcts on computerised tomography (CT) scan. 5 patients had history of recurrent strokes. Hemiparesis was more frequent than hemiplegia. None presented with dense hemiplegia. All patients recovered to normal functional capacity and did not have recurrence on drugs. CONCLUSION: A preliminary study on APLA positive young strokes showed certain clinical and radiological features, mild to moderate stroke, pre-treatment recurrences, multiple smaller infarcts on CT, which could be clustered in a subgroup of stroke in young. Incidentally these patients showed a good prognosis in terms of long term outcome.

Anticuerpos antifosfolipídicos y niveles beta 2 microglubulina en grupo de pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Antiphospholipid antibodies and beta 2 microblobulin levels in a group af patients with systemic erythematous lupus

Se investigó la presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolipídicos (Anticuerpos antiCardiolipina M y G) así como los niveles de Beta2microblobulina en 37 pacientes de sexo femenino, con diagnóstico de Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico, con edades comprendidas entre 16 y 60 años, en control en la Unidad de Inmunología Regional de la Ciudad Hospitalaria Enrique Tejera, Valencia Edo. Carabobo. Se estableció un grupo control de 37 mujeres sanas, equivalentes en edad. A todas las pacientes se les realizó una Historia Clínica completa, se les extrajo 10 cc de sangre de la vena del pliegue del codo, separándose el suero, él cual se conservó a -70ºC hasta su procesamiento. Los anticuerpos antiCardiolipina (antiCLP) M y G fueron cuantificados por ELISA, considerándose positivos moderados, niveles séricos por encima de 30U/ml y positivos altos mayores de 112U/ml para la G y de 160 para la M. Los niveles de Beta2microglobulina para el grupo control fueron de 1.10 (+/-0.27) mgr/L. En los 37 pacientes estudiados, 9 de ellos ten¡an niveles de anticuerpo antiCLP G por encima de lo normal, y en uno de ellos se encontró conjuntamente niveles moderadamente elevados de AntiCLP M. En este grupo de paciente, el 44,4 por ciento tenían antecedentes de abortos positivos, mientras que en el resto de las pacientes lúpicas, con niveles considerados negativos, no se reportaron interrupciones de embarazos. Un solo paciente de estos 9 fue VDRL + descartándose sífilis. En todos los pacientes con niveles de antiCLP moderadamente altos, el contaje de plaquetas fue normal, así como el PTT. De las 9 pacientes con anti CLP G aumentada, en sólo dos de ellas (16,66 por ciento) la enfermedad se encontraba en fase activa

Recherche d'une anomalie constitutionnelle de l'hemostase dans les thromboses

Research of abnormality of heamostasis in thromboembolic disease is very important. In this work, we have studied resistance to activated protein C. Antithrombin III, Protein C, protein S and anticardiolipin antibody in 30 patients who have past history of arterial and venous thrombosis, and in a control population of 25 healthy subjects. We have reported one case [4%] of resistance to activated protein C in healthy subjects and 6 cases [20%] in patients; 4 deficiences of antithrombin III, I deficiency of protein S, and 3 patients with anticardiolipin antibody. The clinical entity of these abnormalities of heamostasis between resistance to activated protein C and deficiencies of coagulation physiologic inhibitors

Sindrome antifosfolipide e gestacao / Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy

Os anticorpos antifosfolipides sao um grupo de auto-anticorpos contra fosfolipidios de carga negativa. Sua presenca, em combinacao com perda gestacional de repeticao, trombose arterial ou venosa ou trombocitopenia define a chamada sindrome antifosfolipide. Nas pacientes portadoras dessa sindrome o risco de perda gestacional e bastante elevado, e mesmo as gestacoes viaveis sao de alto risco para a ocorrencia de complicacoes como pre-eclampsia, crescimento intra-uterino retardado, sofrimento fetal anteparto e parto prematuro. O mecanismo fisiopatologico envolvido permanece desconhecido. Varios tratamentos, como a aspirina, a prednisona, a heparina e a imunoglobulina humana intravenosa, tem sido propostos, na tentativa de evitar a alta incidencia de complicacoes maternas e perinatais associadas a sindrome

prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies and pre-eclampsia, a prospective controlled study

Detection of anticardiolipin antibodies [ACA] in 50 primigravida with preeclampsia and in 41 primigravida with normal course of pregnancy was carried out in the third trimester. In 10 cases [20%] and in 4 cases [9.5%] of the control group, abnormal values of ACA were detected, but this was not statistically significant. The outcome of pregnancy did not significantly differ among cases with normal and abnormal values of ACA. Further studies and standardization of the ELISA test used for detection of ACA are recommended

Anticuerpos anticardiolipina en la preeclampsia/eclampsia / Anticardiolipine antibodies in preeclampsia/eclampsia

Introducción. Los anticuerpos antifosfolípidos se han encontrado elevados en pacientes con preeclampsia/eclamplsia. Objetivo. Determinar la presencia de anticuerpos anticardiolipina en pacientes con preeclampsia/eclampsia. Pacientes y métodos. Estudiamos prospectivamente 65 pacientes, 35 con preeclampsia/eclampsia (grupo problema, A) y 30 con embarazo normal (grupo control, B) en una UCI. Se efectuó determinación en sangre de IgM e IgG utilizando el método modificado de Harris al segundo y tercer trimestre de embarazo en los dos grupos. Resultados. Encontramos al 2o. y 3er. trimestre de embarazo: en el grupo A, lgG 1.3 ñ 0.9 U y 1.52 ñ 1.1, respectivamante (cuatro pacientes) y la lgM fue de 2.2 ñ 0.9 U y 2.06 ñ 0.81 U (nueve pacientes). En el grupo B (30 pacientes) la lgG fue 1.2 ñ 0.7 U y 0.2 ñ 0.1 U, y la lgM 2.1 ñ U y 1.7 ñ 1 U en los mismos periodos. Conclusión. Los anticuerpos anticardiolipinas se elevan frecuentemente en pacientes con preeclampsia/eclampsia