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Specimen Collection
3.5 mL SST Serum (Preferred)
4 mL Plain Serum
500 uL Microsample Serum
Reference Intervals

Uncertainty of Measurement:    a-CL IgG = 20%   

Equivocal - Units: GPL units

Age Range	Either Sex
All	10 - 27

Negative

Age Range	Either Sex
All	< 9

Moderate

Age Range	Either Sex
All	28 - 80

High

Age Range	Either Sex
All	>= 80

Turnaround Time:

Test performed twice a week.

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Cardiolipin antibodies (IgG and / or IgM) are found in moderate [28-80GPL / MPL] to high [>81 GPL / MPL] levels in patients suffering from antiphospholipid (APS) syndrome. The syndrome encompasses the following clinical settings (a) Venous thrombosis (b) Arterial thrombosis (c) Thrombocytopenia and (d) Recurrent foetal loss. The syndrome is most commonly seen in SLE patients, but may be seen in others.

To fulfill a diagnosis of APS, patients must have at least one laboratory plus one clinical finding during the course of the disease. The anticardiolipin test must be positive on at least two occasions more than three months apart and be at the recommended levels.

The clinical significance of low level [<27 GPL / MPL] antibodies is uncertain.

The following groups of patients should be considered candidates for anticardiolipin antibody testing:

*      Patients with SLE or other autoimmune rheumatic diseases

*      Patients with myocardial infarction, stroke or other arteial thrombosis in the absence of risk factors (particularly if less than 50 years of age)

*      Patients with unexplained venous thrombosis (particularly if less than 50 years of age)

*      Patients with a history or presence of  unexplained thrombocytopenia

*      Patients suffering second or third trimester pregnancy loss

*      Patients with two or more consecutive first trimester pregnancy losses

*      Patients with a false positive VDRL test present at the time of pregnancy loss or thrombosis

References

1.         INOVA ACA IgG III product insert. INOVA Diagnostics, San Diego, USA.

2.         Detection, Interpretation and Clinical Significance of Autoantibodies in Systemic Rheumatic Disease.  Immunoconcepts. 1999.

Contact Information

For further information contact the laboratory, (09) 307 4949 ext 22103 or:
Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga , Immunopathologist: Locator 93-5724,  

Dr Richard Steele , or  The LabPLUS Immunology Team

Last updated at 11:31:18 20/02/2019