ANTI-BETA-2-GLYCOPROTEIN-I ANTIBODY IN YOUNG-ADULT PATIENTS WITH EITHER ISCHEMIC STROKE OR LIVEDO-RETICULARIS

Purpose. - This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of anti- beta 2glycoproteine I antibodies (anti-beta 2-GPI antibodies) in young adult patients presenting with either livedo reticularis or ischemic stroke. Methods. - Forty patients referred between February 1996 and F ebruary 1997 underwent clinical examination and laboratory tests with search for anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL antibodies), lupus anticoag ulant (LA) and anti-beta 2GPI antibodies. Results. - Twenty-one patien ts presented with ischemic stroke (one with ACL antibodies), 13 had li vedo (six with ACL antibodies, two with LA) and sir patients presented with Sneddon's syndrome (two with ACL antibodies, two with LA). Only one was positive for anti-beta 2-GPI antibodies. Conclusion. - beta 2- GP I is a cofactor that increases anticardiolipin antibody adhesion to cardiolipin. Our results suggest that the prevalence of anti-beta 2GP I antibodies is not high in young patients with either livedo reticula ris or ischemic stroke. However, due to the small number of patients i ncluded in the study, definite conclusions may not be drawn out. Anti- beta 2-GPI antibodies assay is not justified in routine evaluation of patients with either livedo reticularis or ischemic stroke. (C) 1998 E lsevier, Paris.