Rapid detection of anticardiolipin antibodies

• Published in: American journal of hematology 1998-04, Vol.57 (4), p.315-319
• Main Authors: Stewart, Michael W., McKay, Tracy, Schwind, Peter, Gordon, Philip A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies, Anticardiolipin - analysis; anticardiolipin antibody; antiphospholipid antibody; Antiphospholipid Syndrome - diagnosis; Antiphospholipid Syndrome - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Gels; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Methods; microsphere; Miscellaneous. Technology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; phospholipid; Polystyrenes
• ISSN: 0361-8609; 1096-8652
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8652(199804)57:4<315::AID-AJH8>3.0.CO;2-X

A rapid screening method for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies is described. Dense, red dyed polystyrene beads coated with cardiolipin were incubated with test sera for a short period of time, then added to a microtube containing anti‐human IgG in a gel provided within a pre‐cast card (DiaMed ID Microtyping System). The card was centrifuged at 150g for 5 min and then examined for movement of the beads through the gel. Beads without bound antibody travelled through the gel and formed a pellet on the bottom of the tube. Anti‐human IgG within the gel matrix impeded cardiolipin‐coated beads when antiphospholipid antibodies bound to the beads. Positivity was indicated by the formation of a layer of beads on the top of the gel matrix. Prospective analysis of 103 samples for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies by flow cytometry and the gel‐card technique showed good correlation between the two methods. All samples found to be positive by flow cytometry (23 of 103) were identified as positive by the gel‐card technique. Two samples were identified as positive by the gel‐card method but negative by flow cytometry. The technique is simple to perform and should prove useful as a rapid screening method for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. Am. J. Hematol. 57:315–319, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.