Synonyms |
|
Anticardiolipin
antibodies, ACA, ACLIP
|
Clinical
Indications |
|
Suspicion
of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS, Hughes syndrome). Diagnosis
of APS requires a clinical history of vascular thrombosis or
pregnancy morbidity, together with positive lupus
anticoagulant or elevated cardiolipin antibodies on two or
more occasions 12 weeks apart.
|
|
Test
Includes |
|
IgG
and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin.
Positive
and weak positive results will be reflex tested for the
appropriate Beta-2 glycoprotein-1 antibodies.
|
|
Request Form |
|
Combined
Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
Analysed
by referral laboratory.
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
2 weeks
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
Volume |
|
2
ml
|
Container |
|
Yellow top (SST)
|
Lab.
Handling |
|
Separate
and store at 4’C.
|
Causes
for Rejection |
|
Unlabelled
sample. Repeat analysis within previous month.
|
Interpretation |
|
Cardiolipin
IgG and IgM antibodies:
Negative
0 – 10 u/mL
Weak positive 11
– 40 u/mL
Positive
>40
u/mL
Beta-2
glycoprotein-1 antibodies:
Negative
0 – 6 u/mL
Equivocal
7 – 10 u/mL
Positive
>10
u/mL
The
likelihood of APS is increased if both ACA and Beta-2 GP1
are positive, but APS is possible with only ACA positive.
Positive ACA may also be seen in other autoimmune or
inflammatory conditions, so positives should be repeated after
12 weeks.
|