The role of anti-phospholipid auto antibodies syndrome in cerebrovascular diseases

Abstract EN

Objectives : The aims of the study are to determine the role of anti-phospholipid autoantibodies (APLAs) among patients with stroke and / or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), to identify the types and effective isotype of some important APLAs which are lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-Ji2 glycoprotein I dependent (afi2-GPl), and anti-phosphatidyl serine (aPS).

Also, to find out any concomitant effect of non-APIA parameters j not specific to antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Subjects and Methods : This study was carried out on 50 patients attending mainly the Teaching and General Hospitals in Mosul, Duhok, and Erbil Cities, Iraq during the period between 1st March 2004 and 1st March 2005.

The studied cases were under 50 years of age, and had no recognizable risk factors.

The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was used for LA estimation and ELISA assay was used to test for IgG & IgM isotypes ofaCL, afi2-GPI, and aPS.

The ANA, RF, VDRL, CRP, and C4 complement were tested by different immuoserological methods.

The thrombocytopenic (TP) status was diagnosed by estimation of platelets counts.

Results : The strokes and / or TIAs related to APS were diagnosed in 22 / 50 (44 %) of patients and a significant correlation was reported among patients with IgG plus IgM aCL (p < 0.05), IgG afi2-GPI (p < 0.05), and IgG aPS (p < 0.05).

In APLAs positive patients, raised CRP concentrations were reported in 36.4 %, TP status in 22.7 %, ANA in 22.7 %, RF positive in 13.6 %, and low C4 levels inl3.6 %.

Finally,the FP-VDRL test was found in 50 % of APLAs positive cases.

Conclusions : The aCL, afi2-GPI, and aPS antibodies were shown to play a significant role in the development of stroke and / or TIAs among the studied cases.