Type of test : Blood

Normal findings

 Negative:

< 23 GPL (IgG phospholipid units)

< 11 MPL (IgM phospholipid units)

Test explanation and related physiology

 Anticardiolipin antibodies (immunoglobulins G and M to cardiolipin) are antiphospholipid autoantibodies that attach to phospholipids on cell membranes and can interfere with the coagulation system. Antiphospholipid autoantibodies include anticardiolipin antibodies and the lupus anticoagulant antibody. Phospholipid antibodies occur in patients with a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, notably thrombosis (arterial or venous), pregnancy morbidity (unexplained fetal death, premature birth, severe preeclampsia, or placental insufficiency), unexplained cutaneous circulation disturbances (levido reticularis or pyoderma gangrenosum), thrombocytopenia or hemolytic anemia, and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Phospholipid anti bodies and lupus anticoagulants are found with increased frequency in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases, especially lupus erythematosus. The term antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or Hughes syndrome is used to describe the triad of thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia accompanied by phospholipid antibodies or a lupus anticoagulant. These antibodies may be considered normal in an elderly person.

Interfering factors

 • Patients who have or had syphilis infections can have a false positive result.

 • Transient antibodies can occur in patients with infections, AIDS, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or cancer.

* False-positive results have been seen in patients who take such medications as chlorpromazine, hydralazine, penicillin, phenytoin, procainamide, and quinidine. Procedure and patient care

 • See inside front cover for Routine Blood Testing.

• Fasting: no

• Blood tube commonly used: Verify with laboratory.

Abnormal findings

 Increased levels

 - Systemic lupus erythematosus

- Thrombosis

- Thrombocytopenia

- Recurrent fetal loss

- Syphilis

- Acute infection

- Elderly persons