Prothrombin time inhibition detected with recombinant but not with conventional thromboplastins in two patients with high-titre IgM and moderate-titre IgA anticardiolipin antibodies

Abstract

We report two cases of high-titre IgM and moderate-titre IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) in whom prothrombin times (PT) derived using recombinant thromboplastins (rTP) were prolonged but were normal when measured with conventional thromboplastins. The anticoagulant nature of these antibodies cannot be categorized as the classical lupus type. We suggest that routine screening for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) should be performed in patients who fall into this category.