Anti-phospholipid antibody
Anti-phospholipid antibody (APA) is a type of autoantibody that targets phospholipids, a class of lipids that play a key role in cell membrane structure and function. APAs are associated with anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), a disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy complications.
Overview[edit | edit source]
APAs are a group of immunoglobulins that have the ability to bind to phospholipids. They are produced by the immune system and are typically found in individuals with autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and APS.
Anti-phospholipid Syndrome[edit | edit source]
APS is a disorder that can lead to both arterial and venous thrombosis as well as pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe preeclampsia. The presence of APAs is a major diagnostic criterion for APS.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of APA presence is typically made through blood tests. These tests look for the presence of APAs in the blood and their levels. High levels of APAs can indicate an increased risk of thrombosis or pregnancy complications.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for individuals with APAs typically involves managing the symptoms and complications associated with APS. This can include the use of anticoagulant therapy to prevent thrombosis and close monitoring during pregnancy.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD