PREVALENCE, FOLLOW-UP AND CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Citation
P. Vila et al., PREVALENCE, FOLLOW-UP AND CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES IN NORMAL SUBJECTS, Thrombosis and haemostasis, 72(2), 1994, pp. 209-213
Citations number
49
Categorie Soggetti
Hematology,"Cardiac & Cardiovascular System
Journal title
ISSN journal
03406245
Volume
72
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
209 - 213
Database
ISI
SICI code
0340-6245(1994)72:2<209:PFACOT>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
To date very few studies that analyze the prevalence of anticardiolipi n antibodies (ACA) in healthy subjects have been reported. No data bas ed on a systematic analysis of normal subjects with positive ACA is av ailable. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalance o f ACA, its clinical significance and relationship to the lupus anticoa gulant (LA) and other autoimmune parameters in an apparently healthy p opulation. 552 normal blood donors from a blood bank were randomly sel ected. ACA positive donors who consented were monitored over a period of twelve months and tested every three months. ACA (IgG and IgM isoty pes) were quantitated by enzyme linked immuno-assay (ELISA). The preva lance for IgG ACA in our donor population was estimated to be 6.5%, an d 9.4% for IgM ACA, which is similar to the one previously reported fo r IgG and slightly higher for IgM. It is worth noting that in our stud y ACA positive donors exhibited a progressive negativization. Eight do nors with IgG ACA and seven with IgM ACA remained positive for nine mo nths. Five donors with IgG ACA and four with IgM ACA had family histor y of thromboembolic disease. One donor with IgG ACA and two with IgM A CA had had unexplained miscarriages in the past. We did not find any r elationship between ACA and LA, nor between ACA positivity and the cli nical and laboratory data studied. Pseudopositivity for lues was not f ound. No thrombotic event occurred in donors that were positive for AC A during the 12-month follow-up.