BETA(2)-GLYCOPROTEIN-I-DEPENDENT AND BETA(2)-GLYCOPROTEIN-I-INDEPENDENT ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES IN HEALTHY PREGNANT-WOMEN

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between bet a(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI)-dependent anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and beta(2)GPI-independent aCL and their respective relevance to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, we prospectively studied 210 n ormal pregnant women, utilizing a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for beta(2)GPI-dependent and -independent aCL. Seven of the 210 pregnant women (3.3%) demonstrated evidence for beta(2)GPI-ind ependent immunoglobulin G (IgG)-aCL. Two patients, who also appeared p ositive for beta(2)GPI-dependent IgG-aCL, were proven to be false posi tives. Amongst the 210 patients, not one was thus positive for beta(2) GPI-dependent aCL. Women with beta(2)GPI-independent aCL demonstrated no adverse pregnancy outcomes. These results suggest that the presence of beta(2)GPI-independent aCL is not associated with the presence of beta(2)GPI-dependent aCL, though it may give rise to false positive re sults. Since the presence of beta(2)GPI-independent aCL does not appea r to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, beta(2)GPI-depende nt assays may represent better markers of miscarriage risk.