The hosts delve into the complexities of testing for anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome during active inflammation, exploring the use of snake venom in hematological testing and factors leading to false elevations. They discuss the link between anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome and inflammation in ICU patients, highlighting the importance of timing in lab testing for accurate diagnosis.
Active inflammation can cause false positives in anti-phospholipid antibody testing, complicating diagnoses.
Inflammation and acute illness can interfere with test accuracy for anti-phospholipid antibodies, posing diagnostic challenges.
Deep dives
The Impact of Active Inflammation on Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Testing
Testing for anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome can yield false positives during active inflammation, leading to potential misdiagnoses and unnecessary treatments. The presence of active inflammation can interfere with the accuracy of the test results, causing confusion in diagnosing the syndrome. Understanding the timing of testing and the impact of inflammation is crucial in avoiding misleading outcomes and unnecessary treatments.
Diagnosing Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Lupus Anticoagulant Phenomenon
Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is characterized by recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy-related complications linked to specific antibodies. Despite the name 'Lupus Anticoagulant,' APS is actually a procoagulant state, involving various antibodies like anti-beta 2 glycoprotein 1 and antichardiolipin. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical criteria such as clotting events and positive lab tests for anti-phospholipid antibodies, emphasizing the complexity and diagnostic challenges in identifying APS and related conditions.
Influence of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Inflammation on Diagnostic Testing
Inflammation, particularly elevated CRP levels, can lead to false positives in anti-phospholipid antibody testing due to interference with clotting assays. Research suggests that acute illnesses and severe inflammation can impact test results, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation and timing of testing. Factors like CRP and acute-phase reactants can affect the accuracy of diagnostic tests, highlighting the complexities in differentiating between true positive results and temporary abnormalities during acute events.
In their latest episode, The Curious Clinicians investigate why antiphospholipid antibodies can be falsely positive during acute illness or thrombosis.