Laboratory diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome

Cutaneous manifestations in antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a hypercoagulable state that leads to thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss related to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (LAC, anticardiolipin, antiA2-glycoprotein). Among cutaneous manifestations, livedo reticularis is the most frequent form of APS. In the literature, there are rare cases associated with diffuse skin necrosis (widespread skin necrosis) and intravascular thrombosis in the small vessels of the dermis. We describe the case of a 44-year-old man with positive anticardiolipin antibodies and protein S deficiency that developed scattered, bullous skin lesions, haemorrhagic in appearance with signs of necrosis as first clinical manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Atypical erythrocytes and platelets in a patient with a pro-thrombin mutation

Prothrombin mutation G20210A, anti-phospholipid syndrome as well as iron overload has previously been shown to cause thrombotic events. The main reason for this is the involvement of these anomalies in causing hypercoagulability of the coagulation system, which frequently leads to venous and arterial thrombotic events. We report the case of a 37-year-old white female with prothrombin mutation G20210A, anti-phospholipid syndrome, as well as an increased serum ferritin level, who experienced two transient ischemic attacks and suffers from regular amaurosis fugax. We present an ultrastructural depiction of erythrocytes, platelets, and the fibrin network, to explain the clinical manifestations of the thrombotic state seen in this patient.