[Circulating anticoagulant revealing a systemic lupus erythematosus: about an observation]

ABSTRACT

In various circumstances, lupus anticoagulants [LA] are found in plasma. 40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] have LA positive plasmas. These latter's are responsible for thrombosis in 10% of cases. This situation is observed in antiphospholipids antibodies syndrome, and it is complicated by thromboembolia. In other situations, LA can be found after viral infections. However, they are not accompaigned by thrombosis or haemorrhage, and they are discovered accidentally in most cases before an operation by abnormal coagulation tests. The authors report the case of an eleven year-old girl admitted for exploration of isolated adenopathy. The coagulation tests done before anesthesia showed the presence of LA leading to the diagnosis of SLE