ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH MEMBRANEOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Background: Anticardiolipin(aCL) antibodies are antibodies against the phosphodiester group of anionic phospholipids. Recurrent vascular thromboembolism, fetal loss and thrombocytopenia have been associated with the presence of aCL antibodies. Membraneous glomerulonephritis(MNG) is also associated with hypercoagulability.Objectives: In this study we aimed to assess the frequency of aCL antibodies in patients with MGN.Methods: IgG and IgM aCL antibodies were investigated by ELISA in 16 MGN, 20 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 12 normal controls.IgG aCL above 20 GPL and IgM aCL above 20 MPL accepted as positive.Results: aCL IgG antibodies were detected in 2(12.5%), and aCL IgM antibodies were detected in 3(18.7%) of the 16 patients with MGN. None of the healthy controls had IgM or IgG aCL positivity.In SLE patients aCL IgG and aCL IgM antibody frequency was 40% and 35% respectively. No thrombotic event has been determined in MGN patients with aCL antibodies.Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between aCL IgM and IgG antibodies in MGN and control group.In SLE patients IgG and IgM antibodies were significantly elevated compared with the other groups. We could not find any correlation between the thromboembolic tendency of MGN and aCL antibodies.Citation: , volume , supplement , year 2002, page Session: Anti-phospholipid syndrome