文摘
IgA antibeta 2 Glycoprotein I (尾2GPI) antibodies test can identify some patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) that are negative for other isotypes. Controversy exists because some studies have reported a strong association of these antibodies with vascular disease, while others have not confirmed this observation. Our hypothesis is that these contradictory results may be due to differences among commercial diagnostic kits. To answer this question, we have compared the results obtained with several of the most commonly used commercial IgA anti 尾2GPI antibodies (a尾2GPI) diagnostic assays on specimens from individuals suspected of having APS. Sera from 69 patients (37 positive and 32 negative for IgA a尾2GPI) were analyzed with seven different commercial ELISA kits for IgA a尾2GPI, following instructions and cutoffs provided by the manufacturer. Our results showed important differences in the sensitivity and specificity of the different assays. Two of the seven kits tested had a sensitivity level below 65% for IgA a尾2GPI, and three showed levels of specificity lower than 80%. Some commercial kits to detect IgA a尾2GPI are suboptimal. Variability between kits may account for the discrepancy in results obtained and for the lack of consensus concerning their clinical significance. It is important that the scientific community work to standardize assay performance so that the true clinical significance of this important clinical marker can be clearly established.