| Abstract: | We studied African-American Factor (FVII)-deficient variants and carriers in Georgia by measuring their levels of FVII antigen (FVIIAG) and FVII procoagulant (FVIIC). Factor VIIAG was determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), whereas FVIIC was measured in two ways: 1) by fibrin clotting methods that employed human recombinant (HRFVIIC), human placental (HPFVIIC), rabbit brain (RBFVIIC), and bovine brain (BBFVIIC) thromboplastins; and 2) by an amidolytic method (AMFVIIC). Prothrombin time tests (PT) were also performed by standard methods. These 4 FVII-deficient patients and 3 carriers demonstrated the following results: PT: 18.2 ± 6.5 sec; FVIIAG: 73.0 ± 14.9; HRFVIIC: 30.6 ± 20.3%; HPFVIIC: 30.5 ± 21.4%; RBFVIIC: 25.3 ± 21.4%; BBFVIIC: 30.6 ± 17.5%; AMFVIIC: 44.1 ± 18.3. We conclude that a group of clinically mild African-American FVII-deficient variants exists in Georgia. This group is characterized by the presence of FVIIAG and decreased FVIIC, using a variety of thromboplastins; an excellent correlation was noted for both human thromboplastins. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
