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Background Classification of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) relies predominantly on detecting antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Antibodies against a domain I (DI) epitope of anti-beta 2glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) proved to be pathogenic, but are not included in the current classification criteria. Objectives Investigate the clinical value of detecting anti-DI IgG in APS. Patients/Methods From eight European centers 1005 patients were enrolled. Anti-cardiolipin (CL) and anti-beta 2GPI were detected by four commercially available solid phase assays; anti-DI IgG by the QUANTA Flash (R) beta 2GPI domain I assay. Results Odds ratios (ORs) of anti-DI IgG for thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity proved to be higher than those of the conventional assays. Upon restriction to patients positive for anti-beta 2GPI IgG, anti-DI IgG positivity still resulted in significant ORs. When anti-DI IgG was added to the criteria aPLs or used as a substitute for anti-beta 2GPI IgG/anti-CL IgG, ORs for clinical symptoms hardly improved. Upon removing anti-DI positive patients, lupus anticoagulant remained significantly correlated with clinical complications. Anti-DI IgG are mainly present in high-risk triple positive patients, showing higher levels. Combined anti-DI and triple positivity confers a higher risk for clinical symptoms compared to only triple positivity. Conclusions Detection of anti-DI IgG resulted in higher ORs for clinical manifestations than the current APS classification criteria. Regardless of the platform used to detect anti-beta 2GPI/anti-CL, addition of anti-DI IgG measured by QUANTA Flash (R) did not improve the clinical associations, possibly due to reduced exposure of the pathogenic epitope of DI. Our results demonstrate that anti-DI IgG potentially helps in identifying high-risk patients.

Background The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with the persistent presence of lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anti-cardiolipin (aCL) and/or anti-beta 2glycoprotein I (a beta 2GPI) antibodies of the immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M (IgG/IgM) isotype. However, the role of aCL and a beta 2GPI IgM as a serologic marker in APS is debated. Objectives We aimed to assess the diagnostic and clinical value of IgM antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in APS within the classification criteria. Patients/Methods Our multicenter study comprised 1008 patients, including APS patients and controls. Anti-CL and a beta 2GPI IgG and IgM antibodies were detected with four commercially available solid phase assays. Results Positivity for aCL and/or a beta 2GPI antibodies was significantly correlated with thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity, independent of the isotype and solid phase assay. Higher odds ratios were obtained for IgG compared to IgM positivity. Isolated IgM was rare in thrombotic APS, but more frequent in obstetric APS, ranging from 3.5% to 5.4% and 5.7% to 12.3%, respectively, dependent on the solid phase assay. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis of aPL, IgM positivity was found to be associated with pregnancy morbidity. However, detection of IgM was not independently associated with thrombosis. Combined positivity for LAC, IgG, and IgM was highly associated with thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. Conclusions Our data support testing for aCL and a beta 2GPI IgM in women suspected of obstetric APS. However, no added value was found for testing IgM in patients suspected of thrombotic APS. Still, IgM aPL might be useful as a second-line test to improve thrombotic risk stratification.

International audience; Malignancies can be associated with positive antiphospholipid antibodies but the incidence of cancer among women with the purely obstetric form of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is currently unknown. Our aim was to investigate the comparative incidence of cancers in women with a history of obstetric APS within a referral university hospital-based cohort (NOH-APS cohort). We performed a 17-year observational study of 1,592 non-thrombotic women with three consecutive spontaneous abortions before the 10th week of gestation or one fetal death at or beyond the 10th week of gestation. We compared the incidence of cancer diagnosis during follow-up among the cohort of women positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (n=517), the cohort of women carrying the F5 rs6025 or F2 rs1799963 polymorphism (n=279) and a cohort of women with negative thrombophilia screening results (n=796). The annualized rate of cancer was 0.300% (0.20%-0.44%) for women with obstetric APS and their cancer risk was substantially higher than that of women with negative thrombophilia screening [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.483; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-4.85]. The computed standardized incidence ratio for women with obstetric APS was 2.89; 95% CI: 1.89-4.23. Among antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant was associated with incident cancers (aHR 2.608; 95% CI: 1.091-6.236). Our cohort study shows that the risk of cancer is substantially higher in women with a history of obstetric APS than in the general population, and in women with a similar initial clinical history but negative for antiphospholipid antibodies.

La maladie thromboembolique veineuse (MTEV) est une maladie grave et fréquente. L’enquête étiologique est primordiale en cas de MTEV idiopathique, particulièrement chez un patient âgé où la MTEV peut être la première manifestation d’un cancer occulte. Le médecin généraliste est l’acteur principal du suivi et participe à la réalisation du bilan étiologique dans le cadre d’une prise en charge globale. Les dernières recommandations françaises ont été actualisées en 2019. La recherche d’un cancer occulte est maintenant encadrée par des recommandations. Nous avons réalisé une étude descriptive auprès de médecins généralistes d’Ile-de-France tirés au sort en les interrogeant sur leurs habitudes de prescriptions du bilan étiologique de MTEV à l’aide de cas cliniques fictifs et d’un questionnaire Google Forms. La grande majorité des médecins interrogés estime que la MTEV est fréquente en médecine générale mais certains facteurs de risque sont mal connus. Il existe une large prescription du bilan de thrombophilie héréditaire, souvent non indiquée, et le bilan de thrombophilie réalisé est souvent incomplet. La recherche d’un cancer occulte reste largement effectuée lors d’une situation de MTEV idiopathique, mais le bilan est également souvent incomplet. L’utilisation systématique du scanner TAP est fréquente alors que les examens du dépistage national de cancer ne sont pas toujours actualisés. Les réponses des médecins sont hétérogènes de par la complexité des situations et leur volonté de sécuriser le patient. Il serait intéressant d’intensifier la diffusion des nouvelles recommandations à l’ensemble des médecins spécialistes en médecine générale.

There is increasing evidence that in systemic lupus erythematosus, nucleosomes, the basic chromatin component, represent both a driving immunogen and a major in vivo target for antibodies. Either a disturbed apoptosis or a reduced clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes may lead to an increased exposure of apoptotic nucleosomes to the immune system. These nucleosomes, which have been cleaved and modified during the process of apoptosis, escape normal clearance and encompass epitopes that normally are not encountered by the immune system. This may then lead to tolerance breaking and autoimmunity by the activation of nucleosome-specific autoreactive T cells (that help B cells) and subsequently to the production of anti-nucleosome, anti-histone and anti-DNA autoantibodies. Some anti-nucleosome antibody subsets are pathogenic and are involved in the nephritogenic process in systemic lupus erythematosus. Accordingly, several studies reported: (i) increased plasma circulating nucleosomes that positively correlated with an active disease, (ii) nucleosomes in typical glomerular deposits as well as in the basement membrane of non-lesional skin of systemic lupus erythematosus patients and (iii) a close correlation between nephritis and the presence of anti-nucleosome antibodies. Recent studies reported anti-nucleosome antibodies also in primary anti-phospholipid syndrome and particularly in patients with associated lupus-like disease.

International audience; We report a rare example of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) in a young child. A 3-year-old girl with no previous medical history presented with extensive and recurrent thromboses. The diagnosis of CAPS was based on the occurrence of cardiopulmonary embolism in the child with a high titre of autoantibodies directed against phospholipids and beta-2-glycoprotein 1. In spite of a relatively rapid diagnosis and multiple treatments, the outcome was unfavourable. Multimodality imaging, including both ultrasonography and spiral CT, allowed close follow-up of the thromboses.

International audience; The antiphospholipid syndrome is a thrombophilia characterized by the combination of arterial and/or venous thrombotic events or obstetric clinical events, associated with persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. In this syndrome, thromboses may affect all of the vascular tree, renal damage is frequently associated with a specific antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy. We propose in this review to provide updated recommendations on the management of antiphospholipid syndrome in nephrology. Treatment is based on long-term anticoagulant therapy with or without antiplatelet agents according to clinical events. The use of a conventional nephroprotection must not be forgotten (strict control of blood pressure with drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system). Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is an extremely severe complication which can threaten the vital prognosis of the patient. This justifies particular surveillance, as well as prevention in high-risk situations. We also illustrate the difficulties of long-term management in these patients, both in dialysis or kidney transplantation.; Le syndrome des antiphospholipides est une thrombophilie caractérisée par l’association d’un événement clinique thrombotique (artériel et/ou veineux) ou obstétrical, associé à la présence durable d’anticorps antiphospholipides. L’atteinte pouvant toucher l’ensemble de l’arbre vasculaire, une atteinte rénale est fréquemment associée avec la description maintenant bien codifiée de la néphropathie associée au syndrome des antiphospholipides. Nous proposons dans cette revue des recommandations actualisées sur la prise en charge du syndrome des antiphospholipides en néphrologie. La thérapeutique se base sur une anticoagulation plus ou moins une antiagrégation à long terme en fonction des événements cliniques sans oublier le recours à une néphroprotection classique (contrôle strict de la pression artérielle avec notamment des thérapeutiques bloquant le système rénine–angiotensine–aldostérone). Le syndrome catastrophique des antiphospholipides est une complication extrêmement grave pouvant mettre en jeu le pronostic vital du patient. Celui-ci justifie une attention toute particulière, ainsi qu’une prévention dans les situations à risque. Nous illustrons également les difficultés de prise en charge au long cours de ces patients, tant en dialyse qu’en transplantation rénale.

International audience; A 20-year-old woman treated with vitamin K antagonist for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (pulmonary embolisms at age 15) was admitted for breast reduction after bridging therapy. At 2 days post-surgery haematomas appeared on the surgical site and anticoagulant therapy was withheld. She developed a skin and breast necrosis leading to the diagnosis of catastrophic APS. Despite medical treatment (anticoagulant therapy, corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins) and surgery, necrosis continued. After 2 weeks of negative-pressure wound therapy (V.A.C.(®) Therapy™) the patient improved, mammary tissues were alive, well vascularised and budding. Breast reconstruction was then initiated. Artificial dermis graft (MatriDerm(®) 2 mm) was applied, and 3 weeks later the apposition of split-thickness skin graft on it. Six months later, results of the surgery were good and the patient was satisfied.

International audience; no abstract

International audience

International audience

International audience; Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Should anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) be detectable, this risk is significantly raised, particularly when these autoanti-bodies are cofactor-dependent. We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive unselected outpatients referred for clinical suspicion of DVT, as an attempt to address the following questions: firstly, were aCL antibodies associated with DVT in non-SLE patients? Secondly, was this association related to the cofactor dependence? From March 1992 to February 1994, 208 patients were enrolled in the study. Venography was positive in 110 patients (DVT patients), while the diagnosis of DVT could not be confirmed in the remaining 98 (referred to as disease controls). ACL was measured by ELISA, for IgG and IgM isotypes in two ways: fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin were used as blocking agents to distinguish between cofactor-dependent and cofactor-independent antibodies. Positive aCL was defined as optical density (OD) values greater than the 95th percentile of OD distribution of 60 healthy controls. We found a high frequency of positive IgG aCL antibodies in both DVT patients and in disease controls (25.5 vs 23.5%). We suggest an association between IgM aCL and DVT. This association was, however, not dependent on the cofactor requirement.