Anti-cardiolipin antibodies

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are autoantibodies, often of the IgG and IgM type, that are directed against cardiolipin and found in several diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, livedoid vasculopathy, and in syphilis (a non-autoimmune, infectious disease).

Overview

Cardiolipin is a kind of fat molecule (phospholipid) that is found in the outer layer of your blood platelets and the lining of your blood vessels. When your immune system detects something harmful in your body, it produces proteins called antibodies to attack the invaders. But in some cases, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies against cardiolipin. These are called anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

Clinical Significance

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies can cause blood clots to form in arteries or veins and are often found in people with diseases that cause the immune system to attack the body's own cells (autoimmune diseases), such as systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Diagnosis

The presence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies can be detected through a blood test. This test is often done on people who have had unexplained blood clots or who have a disease, such as lupus, that is known to increase the risk of blood clots.

Treatment

Treatment for anti-cardiolipin antibodies typically involves medications to reduce the risk of blood clots. These may include blood thinners, such as warfarin, or aspirin. In some cases, people with high levels of these antibodies may need to take medication for the rest of their lives.

See Also

• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Autoimmune disease
• Blood clot
• Lupus anticoagulant

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies Resources
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