Cardiolipin Ab

5 mL blood in plain tube.

EIA.

May differ between laboratories.

Investigation of patients with clinical features suggestive of the Phospholipid antibody syndrome (especially recurrent unexplained venous or arterial thrombosis, fetal loss, thrombocytopenia) alone or in association with SLE or other connective tissue disorder.

Moderate to high levels of IgG cardiolipin antibody are seen in the Phospholipid antibody syndrome, but the antibody may also be detected in SLE, other autoimmune disorders, some infections (eg, Syphilis) and with some drugs. Persistent antibodies detectable after 12 weeks are more likely to be associated with anti phospholipid antibody syndrome.

Cardiolipin antibodies are associated with the lupus inhibitor, beta-2-glycoprotein1 antibodies, and with false positive syphilis serology.

Levels may fluctuate spontaneously with time. A positive result in the absence of clinical history has limited significance.

See also Lupus anticoagulant.