Detection of IgG anti-beta2 glycoprotein-I antibodies in Saudi patients with systemic lupus erythematosis

OBJECTIVE: To develop an assay for the measurement of this anti-human beta2-glycoprotein I (abeta2-GPI) METHODS: This study was conducted from September 2004 to December 2006. The patients attending the Rheumatology Clinic were chosen from several centers in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia because they had complications. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent ELISA assay was optimized and developed to measure IgG abeta2-GPI antibody levels in humans. Fifty normal blood donors and 50 systemic lupus erythematosis SLE patients were selected for this experiment. RESULTS: Raised IgG abeta2-GPI antibody levels were found in 80% of SLE patients. Interestingly, raised IgG a-beta2-GPI antibody levels were associated with the presence of venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: The real value of IgG abeta2-GPI as a predictor for the future clinical complications needs to be confirmed in prospective controlled studies investigating clinical complications in relationship to IgG abeta2-GPI and to other risk factors for thrombosis.