[Contribution of antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin (anti-PS/PT) antibody detection in the diagnosis and management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)]

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease and one of the most common causes of acquired thrombophilia. It is characterised by the occurrence of thrombotic or obstetric events associated with the presence of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies. The diagnosis can be challenging, particularly because some biological tests can be disturbed by anticoagulant treatment or inflammation. In the recent years, new antiphospholipid antibodies, including anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (anti-PS/PT), have emerged but their clinical significance and causality remain uncertain. Biologically, several studies have found a strong correlation between the presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anti-PS/PT antibodies. Clinically, the presence of anti-PS/PT antibodies is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and obstetric complications. There is also an association with thrombocytopenia, suggesting that the presence of anti-PS/PT antibodies may be associated with more severe clinical APS. Among seronegative APS patients, 6-17% of patients are positive for anti-PS/PT antibodies. This might influence the therapeutic management of patients. This article aims to provide an update on contribution of anti-PS/PT antibodies detection for the diagnosis and management of APS.

Keywords: Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies; Anti-prothrombin antibodies; Anticorps anti-phosphatidylsérine/prothrombine; Anticorps anti-prothrombine; Anticorps antiphospholipides; Antiphospholipid antibodies; Antiphospholipid syndrome; Lupus anticoagulant; Morbidité obstétricale; Obstetric morbidity; Syndrome des antiphospholipides; Thrombose; Thrombosis.