Calprotectin Impairs Platelet Survival in Patients With Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

While thrombosis and pregnancy loss are the best-known clinical features of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), many patients also exhibit "extra-criteria" manifestations, such as thrombocytopenia. The mechanisms that drive APS thrombocytopenia are not completely understood, and no clinical biomarkers are available for predicting antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-mediated thrombocytopenia. Calprotectin is a heterodimer of S100A8 and S100A9 that is abundant in the neutrophil cytoplasm and released upon proinflammatory neutrophil activation. Here, we sought to evaluate the presence, clinical associations, and potential mechanistic roles of circulating calprotectin in a cohort of primary APS and aPL-positive patients.

METHODS

Levels of circulating calprotectin were determined in plasma by the QUANTA Flash chemiluminescent assay. A viability dye-based platelet assay was used to assess the potential impact of calprotectin on aPL-mediated thrombocytopenia.

RESULTS

Circulating calprotectin was measured in 112 patients with primary APS and 30 aPL-positive (without APS criteria manifestations or lupus) patients as compared to patients with lupus (without APS), patients with unprovoked venous thrombosis (without aPL), and healthy controls. Levels of calprotectin were higher in patients with primary APS and aPL-positive patients compared to healthy controls. After adjustment for age and sex, calprotectin level correlated positively with absolute neutrophil count (r = 0.41, P < 0.001), positively with C-reactive protein level (r = 0.34, P = 0.002), and negatively with platelet count (r = -0.24, P = 0.004). Mechanistically, we found that calprotectin provoked aPL-mediated thrombocytopenia by engaging platelet surface toll-like receptor 4 and activating the NLRP3-inflammasome, thereby reducing platelet viability in a caspase-1-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that calprotectin has the potential to be a functional biomarker and a new therapeutic target for APS thrombocytopenia.

Performance validation of the 2023 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteria in an antiphospholipid syndrome cohort

BACKGROUND

The 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria were developed with higher specificity but lower sensitivity compared with the 2006 Sydney revised classification criteria.

OBJECTIVES

To validate the performance of the 2023 ACR/EULAR APS classification criteria in a large Chinese APS cohort.

METHODS

This was a single-center cohort study. Inclusion criteria aligned with the entry criteria of 2023 criteria. APS classification by "expert consensus panel" served as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity were compared between the 2023 and 2006 criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 526 patients with a mean age of 38.55 ± 12.67 years were enrolled, of whom 366 (69.58%) were female and 182 (34.60%) had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among them, 407 (77.38%) patients were classified as APS by experts. The 2023 criteria demonstrated higher overall specificity than the 2006 criteria (0.983 vs 0.950), while sensitivity was relatively lower (0.818 vs 0.853). The sensitivity of the 2023 criteria improved for patients with SLE (0.860 vs 0.825), microvascular manifestations (0.867 vs 0.786), cardiac valve disease (0.903 vs 0.774), and thrombocytopenia (0.811 vs 0.790). Reduced sensitivity of the 2023 criteria was linked to the omission of certain microvascular manifestations, a stricter definition of pregnancy morbidity, and the exclusion of isolated thrombocytopenia and isolated IgM isotype antiphospholipid antibodies from meeting clinical and laboratory criteria, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The 2023 criteria offer higher overall specificity and improved sensitivity in specific patient subsets, such as those with SLE, microvascular manifestations, cardiac valve disease, and thrombocytopenia when compared with the 2006 criteria.

Extensive Thrombosis in Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome in a Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

In this case report, we present the development of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS), a rare and potentially fatal consequence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in a 33-year-old Micronesian woman. CAPS is characterized by extensive arterial thrombosis and multiorgan failure. The patient first showed signs of neuropsychiatric symptoms, brain infarctions on imaging, and severe hypoxic respiratory failure brought into the hospital by diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) along with lupus nephritis (LN). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were progressively elevated to 102/4.1 mg/dL, respectively. A urinalysis revealed microscopic hematuria and proteinuria with a urine protein/creatinine ratio of 6052 mg/g. She was also found to have had microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and severe venous thrombosis, both of which were indicative of CAPS. An aggressive approach, including immunosuppressive medication, therapeutic plasma exchange, and anticoagulation, had positive results, including renal recovery and the cessation of thrombotic episodes. This instance highlights how crucial it is to identify CAPS patients early and take appropriate action to improve patient outcomes for this difficult and sometimes deadly disorder.

Skin erythematous migrant lesions consistent with histologically confirmed dermal arteriolar thrombosis connected to APS

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic disorder related to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (LAC, anticardiolipin, anti Beta2-glycoprotein) known to cause venous and arterial thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss. Skin disorder is a frequent finding usually due to vascular thrombosis involving the dermal layer and can be either localized or widespread causing necrosis and ulceration of the skin, without histological evidence of vasculitis. We present a case of a woman with APS with both arterial and venous thrombotic involvement associated with an atypical dermatological manifestation histologically consistent with a pauci-inflammatory intermediate-deep dermal arteriolar platelet-mediated thrombosis that appeared despite anticoagulation with warfarin and responding to the addition of antiplatelet therapy.

Challenges in Treating Extensive Deep Vein Thrombosis with Severe Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome-A Follow-up of 2 Years

Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). There is little evidence or definitive guidelines regarding the treatment of APS with thrombocytopenia. We describe a patient with APS and moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia and the challenges of balancing anticoagulation with thrombocytopenia. A 19-year-old male patient presented with right lower limb swelling to the emergency department with a history of gradually worsening right leg swelling for 1 week and was diagnosed with right leg proximal deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound Doppler of the right lower limb revealed complete venous thrombosis from the level of the popliteal vein to the distal superficial femoral vein. Subsequently, he was found to have triple-positive APS and moderate-to-severe immune thrombocytopenia, with a platelet count nadir of 31 × 10 to the ninth power/L. He was started on anticoagulation with warfarin. The severe thrombocytopenia was not treated with immunosuppressants and the platelets fluctuated in the range of moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia but did not develop any rethrombotic or bleeding events. His platelets varied from 31 × 10 to the ninth power/L to 106 × 10 to the ninth power/L. This case report demonstrates that it may be safe to hold off treatment for thrombocytopenia in APS, even in cases of severe thrombocytopenia. Treatment with immunosuppressants may be instituted only when platelet levels fall below 20 × 10 to the ninth power/L or when there is clinically significant bleeding, as in primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Risk Factors for Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Persistence of serum antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) is associated with a high thrombotic risk, both arterial and venous, and with pregnancy complications. Due to the potential morbidity and mortality associated with the presence of aPL, identifying and recognizing risk factors for the development of aPL and thrombosis in aPL carriers may help to prevent and reduce the burden of disease. Multiple elements are involved in the pathomechanism of aPL development and aPL-related thrombosis such as genetics, malignancy, and infections. This review will address the role of both well-known risk factors and their evolution, and of emerging risk factors, including COVID-19, in the development of aPL and thrombosis in aPL carriers.

Assessing disease activity and damage in antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has been characterized by a variety of vascular and pregnancy manifestations related to an interplay between thrombotic and inflammatory mechanisms, a progressive accrual of irreversible organ damage and increased morbidity and mortality rates, supporting a high need of optimal treatment approach. The lack of standardized outcome measures is a significant barrier in the design of clinical studies in APS. Disease activity (in principle reversible) and its distinction from disease damage (in principle irreversible) needs to be evaluated by validated scores for use in clinical trials but also in daily clinical practice in APS. A disease damage score in APS, the DIAPS score, has been developed and validated in external cohorts. The development of a disease activity score that will provide an accurate and reproducible rating of each disease domain, can help clinicians and researchers to comprehensively assess the activity of disease and the response to treatment, in an attempt to prevent future damage.

Circulating immune-complexes of IgG/IgM bound to B2-glycoprotein-I associated with complement consumption and thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome

Background

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a multisystemic autoimmune disorder characterized by thrombotic events and/or gestational morbidity in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). In a previous single center study, APS-related clinical manifestations that were not included in the classification criteria (livedo reticularis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) were associated with the presence of circulating immune-complexes (CIC) formed by beta-2-glycoprotein-I (B2GP1) and anti-B2GP1 antibodies (B2-CIC). We have performed a multicenter study on APS features associated with the presence of B2-CIC.

Methods

A multicenter, cross-sectional and observational study was conducted on 303 patients recruited from six European hospitals who fulfilled APS classification criteria: 165 patients had primary APS and 138 APS associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases (mainly systemic lupus erythematosus, N=112). Prevalence of B2-CIC (IgG/IgM isotypes) and its association with clinical manifestations and biomarkers related to the disease activity were evaluated.

Results

B2-CIC prevalence in APS patients was 39.3%. B2-CIC-positive patients with thrombotic APS presented a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia (OR: 2.32, p=0.007), heart valve thickening and dysfunction (OR: 9.06, p=0.015) and triple aPL positivity (OR: 1.83, p=0.027), as well as lower levels of C3, C4 and platelets (p-values: <0.001, <0.001 and 0.001) compared to B2-CIC-negative patients. B2-CIC of IgM isotype were significantly more prevalent in gestational than thrombotic APS.

Conclusions

Patients with thrombotic events and positive for B2-CIC had lower platelet count and complement levels than those who were negative, suggesting a greater degree of platelet activation.

Thrombocytopenia in the first trimester predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and is a main concern for bleeding on the standard treatment of low dose aspirin (LDA) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in obstetric APS (OAPS).

Objective

This study assesses the possible relationship between thrombocytopenia during the first trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in OAPS patients.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted at Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China. The clinical, immunologic, and pregnancy outcomes of the OAPS patients were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the relationship between APOs and thrombocytopenia in the first trimester.

Results

A total of 115 participants were included in the analysis. There were no difference on antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage between the two groups. The gestational age in the thrombocytopenia group was less than that in the control group (34.12 ± 8.44 vs. 37.44 ± 3.81 weeks, p = 0.002). Hypocomplementemia, double aPL positive, and high titers of anti-β2 glycoprotein I were more frequent in APS patients with thrombocytopenia (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, thrombocytopenia in the first trimester was correlated with SGA (12.12% vs. 31.25%, p = 0.043), premature birth <37 weeks (16.16% vs 43.75%, p = 0.010) and intrauterine fetal death (2.02% vs 12.50%, p = 0.033). Thrombocytopenia in first-trimester independently increased the risk of preterm birth <37 weeks (OR = 5.40, 95% CI: 1.35-21.53, p = 0.02) after adjusting for demographic and laboratory factors. After adding medication adjustments, these factors above become insignificant (p > 0.05). Of note, the number of platelets increased after delivery in 14 thrombocytopenia patients with live fetuses (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that thrombocytopenia in the first trimester increases the risks of preterm birth in women with APS. The effective OAPS treatments may improve pregnancy outcomes and not increase the risk of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage.

Differentialdiagnose Vaskulitis und Vaskulopathie aus dermatologischer Sicht

Vaskulopathien und Vaskulitiden stellen diagnostisch und therapeutisch eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung dar. Zugrunde liegen unterschiedliche pathophysiologische Mechanismen, die zu vielfältigen klinischen Krankheitsbildern führen können und therapeutisch unterschiedliche Ansätze erlauben. Sowohl Vaskulitiden als auch Vaskulopathien müssen nicht zwangsläufig mit einer Systembeteiligung einhergehen, sondern können auch als rein kutane Varianten auftreten. Aufgrund mangelnder pathognomonischer Laborparameter ist die Diagnose häufig klinisch zu stellen. Dieser Artikel soll den differentialdiagnostischen Blick, insbesondere auf die kutanen Manifestationsformen bei Vaskulopathien und Vaskulitiden, schärfen.

Plasma Exchange in a Patient with Immune Thrombocytopenia Associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome Hospitalized for COVID-19

Thrombocytopenia is a common feature of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and rarely requires treatment. Here we present the case of a 71-year-old man hospitalized for severe immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) secondary to APS and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, and plasma exchange (PEX). Few data are published on the use of plasma exchange in the treatment of thrombocytopenia in non-catastrophic APS. In the setting of acute infection when immunosuppressive therapies might be contraindicated, plasma exchange may be considered an effective therapeutic option. SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a trigger for a relapse of immune thrombocytopenia.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway Assessment in Antiphospholipid Antibody Positive Patients with Livedo

OBJECTIVE

In antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) nephropathy, activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) contributes to endothelial cell proliferation, a key finding of aPL microvascular disease. Here, we examined mTOR activation in the skin of aPL-positive patients with livedo.

METHODS

Three patient groups with livedo were studied: persistently aPL-positive with or without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and aPL-negative SLE (control). After collecting aPL-related medical history, two 5-mm skin biopsies of livedo were performed on each patient: a) peripheral (erythematous-violaceous lesion), b) central (non-violaceous area). We stained specimens for phosphorylated protein kinase B (P-AKT) and S6 ribosomal protein (P-S6RP) as mTOR activity markers, CD31 to identify endothelial cells, and Ki-67 to show cellular proliferation. We counted cells in the epidermis and compared mTOR positive cell counts between peripheral and central samples, and between patient groups, using Freidman and Wilcoxon Rank tests.

RESULTS

Ten patients with livedo reticularis were enrolled (aPL-positive without SLE: 4 [APS classification met: 3], aPL-positive SLE: 4 [APS classification met: 3], and aPL-negative SLE [control]: 2). In all aPL-positive patients, epidermal P-AKT and P-S6RP staining were significantly increased in both peripheral and central skin samples when compared to aPL-negative SLE controls; both were more pronounced in the lower basal layers of epidermis.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates increased mTOR activity in livedoid lesions of aPL-positive patients with or without SLE, compared to aPL-negative SLE patients, more profoundly in the lower basal layers of epidermis. These findings may serve as a basis for further investigating mTOR pathway in aPL-positive patients.

Sirolimus Monotherapy for Thrombocytopenia in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Pilot Study From a Tertiary Referral Center

Background

Thrombocytopenia (TP) is considered as a warning sign of high-risk antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and sometimes a paradoxical sign of anti-thrombosis treatment. Currently, there is an extreme paucity of effective and safe drugs for long-term management of TP in primary APS patients; therefore, we explored the efficacy and safety of sirolimus monotherapy.

Methods

In this real-world study, we included 7 consecutive patients with primary APS who received sirolimus monotherapy for TP. Oral sirolimus was initiated at a dose of 1–2 mg once daily and then adjusted primarily based on clinical efficacy and tolerance, with consideration of the sirolimus trough concentration of ≤15 ng/ml.

Results

Of included patients, the median age was 58 years with a median disease course of 1.5 years and 4 patients were treatment-naïve. All patients completed 6 months of sirolimus therapy with a median follow-up of 6 months (range: 6–15). All patients received sirolimus monotherapy for TP during the entire follow-up, without any additional agents. Overall, the platelet count exhibited a substantially increasing trend after sirolimus administration during the first 6 months (p < 0.001) and stability later. Specifically, the median platelet count was significantly increased from 59 × 10⁹/l before sirolimus to 90 × 10⁹/l at month 1 (p = 0.028), 131 × 10⁹/l at 3 months (p = 0.028), and 178 × 10⁹/l at 6 months (p = 0.018). Overall and complete responses were respectively achieved in 6 (85.7%) and 5 (71.4%) patients at month 6. Importantly, overall response was achieved in all 4 treatment-naïve patients. Additionally, there were different extents of decline in the titers of antiphospholipid antibodies after sirolimus treatment. Regarding safety, only one patient experienced an elevated cholesterol level with recovery after atorvastatin treatment.

Conclusion

Sirolimus monotherapy confers good efficacy and tolerance for TP in primary APS patients and therefore may be considered as a first-line therapy.

Thrombocytopenia in a cohort of primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome patients: Relation to clinical, laboratory manifestations and damage index

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in a cohort of patients with primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to examine the relation of thrombocytopenia to the clinical, laboratory findings, and damage index for antiphospholipid syndrome (DIAPS).

Patients and methods

Between August 2018 and February 2019, a total of 168 patients (16 males, 152 females; mean age: 32.5±8.4 years; range, 18 to 59 years) who were followed in our clinic for APS were retrospectively analyzed. Medical records of the patients were screened and clinical data, laboratory investigations, and treatments applied were recorded. The DIAPS was calculated for all patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia and both groups were compared regarding clinical, laboratory findings and DIAPS. Further subgroup analysis was done for patients with primary APS.

Results

The most common clinical manifestations in our patients were obstetric manifestations (77.4% in pregnant women), musculoskeletal manifestations (69%) and peripheral vascular thrombosis (54.8%). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in our study was 42.3%, and it was significantly associated with musculoskeletal manifestations (p=0.043), vascular thrombosis (p=0.043), neurological manifestations (p=0.030), cutaneous manifestations (p=0.006), and use of immunosuppressives (p=0.047). The DIAPS was significantly higher in the thrombocytopenia group (p=0.034). Further subgroup analysis of patients with primary APS revealed that neurological manifestations (p=0.010) were significantly higher in the thrombocytopenia group, while the DIAPS was higher in the thrombocytopenia group, but it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.082).

Conclusion

Thrombocytopenia may be associated with a higher incidence of vascular thrombosis, neurological manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, use of immunosuppressive treatment, and DIAPS. In primary APS patients, thrombocytopenia may be a risk for neurological manifestations.

Partial Splenic Embolization for the Management of Severe Refractory Thrombocytopenia in Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune condition characterized by arteriovenous thromboembolic events. Thrombocytopenia is a common finding among these patients and is typically of mild severity not requiring any treatment. However, severe cases of thrombocytopenia should be treated. Steroids, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and immunomodulatory agents are the first-line treatment options, and surgical splenectomy is usually reserved for more severe and refractory cases of thrombocytopenia. Herein, we report the case of a 30-year-old man with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and severe thrombocytopenia. The patient's thrombocytopenia had been refractory to almost all the medical managements, and surgical splenectomy could not be an option due to the patient's high-risk condition for surgery. The patient was successfully managed by partial splenic embolization (PSE) which was a unique application of this technique.

Cerebral Vein Thrombosis in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Analysis of a Series of 27 Patients and Review of the Literature

(1) Background: The Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity and raised titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of cerebrovascular accident and an uncommon APS manifestation; the information in the literature about this feature consists of case reports and small case series. Our purpose is to describe the particular characteristics of CVT when occurs as part of the APS and compare our series with the patients published in the literature. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study collecting data from medical records in three referral centers for APS and CVT, and a systematic review of the literature for CVT cases in APS patients. (3) Results: Twenty-seven APS patients with CVT were identified in our medical records, the majority of them diagnosed as primary APS and with the CVT being the first manifestation of the disease; additional risk factors for thrombosis were identified. The review of the literature yielded 86 cases, with similar characteristics as those of our retrospective series. (4) Conclusions: To our knowledge, our study is the largest CVT series in APS patients published to date, providing a unique point of view in this rare thrombotic manifestation.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of Brazilian versus non-Brazilian primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients in AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and InternatiOnal Networking (APS ACTION) clinical database and repository

BACKGROUND

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by episodes of thrombosis, obstetric morbidity or both, associated with persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Studying the profile of a rare disease in an admixed population is important as it can provide new insights for understanding an autoimmune disease. In this sense of miscegenation, Brazil is characterized by one of the most heterogeneous populations in the world, which is the result of five centuries of interethnic crosses of people from three continents. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Brazilian vs. non-Brazilian primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients.

METHODS

We classified PAPS patients into 2 groups: Brazilian PAPS patients (BPAPS) and PAPS patients from other countries (non-BPAPS). They were compared regarding demographic characteristics, criteria and non-criteria APS manifestations, antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile, and the adjusted Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (aGAPSS).

RESULTS

We included 415 PAPS patients (88 [21%] BPAPS and 327 [79%] non-BPAPS). Brazilian patients were significantly younger, more frequently female, sedentary, obese, non-white, and had a higher frequency of livedo (25% vs. 10%, p < 0.001), cognitive dysfunction (21% vs. 8%, p = 0.001) and seizures (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.007), and a lower frequency of thrombocytopenia (9% vs. 18%, p = 0.037). Additionally, they were more frequently positive for lupus anticoagulant (87.5% vs. 74.6%, p = 0.01), and less frequently positive to anticardiolipin (46.6% vs. 73.7%, p < 0.001) and anti-ß2-glycoprotein-I (13.6% vs. 62.7%, p < 0.001) antibodies. Triple aPL positivity was also less frequent (8% vs. 41.6%, p < 0.001) in Brazilian patients. Median aGAPSS was lower in the Brazilian group (8 vs. 10, p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, BPAPS patients still presented more frequently with livedo, cognitive dysfunction and sedentary lifestyle, and less frequently with thrombocytopenia and triple positivity to aPL. They were also less often white.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests a specific profile of PAPS in Brazil with higher frequency of selected non-criteria manifestations and lupus anticoagulant positivity. Lupus anticoagulant (not triple positivity) was the major aPL predictor of a classification criteria event.

A Novel Mutation in the VPS13B Gene in a Cohen Syndrome Patient with Positive Antiphospholipid Antibodies

Cohen syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder with the primary symptoms of mental deficiency, progressive retinopathy, hypotonia, microcephaly, obesity of midchildhood onset, intermittent neutropenia, and dysmorphic facial features. The syndrome has high phenotypic heterogeneity and is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the VPS13B gene. Here, we introduce a novel homozygous nonsense mutation (c.8698G > T, p.E2900X) in the VPS13B gene in an 11-year-old Iranian boy with major symptoms of Cohen syndrome. He also had mild anemia accompanied by positive antiphospholipid antibodies, the latter has never been previously reported in Cohen syndrome.

Persistent thrombocytopenia predicts poor long-term survival in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a 38-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of thrombocytopenia on survival in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

METHODS

Thrombocytopenia and other predictors of outcome were retrospectively evaluated in an antiphospholipid-antibody (aPL)-positive and APS cohort with 38-year follow-up (1980-2018). Thrombocytopenia was defined as < 150 × 109 platelets/l. Hazard ratios (HR) of mortality were calculated using Cox-regression models.

RESULTS

Among 114 patients, 64% had primary APS, 25% secondary APS, and 10% asymptomatic aPL. Mean follow-up was 19 (5-38) years. ANA (HR 1.8, p= 0.10, 95%CI 0.8-3.6), arterial thrombotic events (HR 7.0, p= 0.016, 95%CI 1.4-3.5), myocardial infarction (HR 8.3, p= 0.03, 95%CI 1.1-59), intracardiac thrombosis (HR 17, p= 0.04, 95%CI 1-279), and thrombocytopenia (HR 2.9, p= 0.004, 95%CI 1.4-6.1) were risk factors for all-cause mortality but in multivariate analysis only thrombocytopenia (HR 2.7, p= 0.01, 95%CI 1.3-6.0) remained significant. Persistent (HR 4.4, p= 0.001, 95%CI 2.1-9.2) and low-moderate thrombocytopenia (HR 2.8, p= 0.01, 95%CI 1.2-6.4) were associated with a significant increase in mortality compared with acute (HR 1.6, p= 0.40, 95%CI 0.5-5.3) and severe forms (HR 2.1, p= 0.30, 95%CI 0.5-9.2). APS patients with vs without thrombocytopenia were more frequently male (58% vs 24%, p= 0.001) with arterial thrombosis (55% vs 32%, p= 0.04), LA positivity (100% vs 87%, p= 0.04), type I aPL profile (89% vs 71%, p= 0.05), and anticoagulant treatment (89% vs 63%, p= 0.01). Thrombosis caused 13% of deaths in thrombocytopenic patients and 1% in those without (p= 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Thrombocytopenia is an aPL-related manifestation that identifies patients with severe disease phenotype and high thrombotic risk. Persistent low-moderate thrombocytopenia is associated with a reduced long-term survival.

Cutaneous manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic disorder in which autoantibodies are produced against a variety of phospholipids and phospholipid-binding proteins. The purpose of this article is to review cutaneous findings in patients with APS diagnosis. An overview regarding prevalence, description, pathogenesis and histopathology, are described for cutaneous manifestations of APS.

Thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome: A practical guide to diagnosis and management

Thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterised by venous, arterial and/or small vessel thrombosis in the context of persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The diagnosis and management of thrombotic APS continues to prove challenging for clinicians. We provide a practical guide to the diagnosis of APS including who to test for aPL and which tests to do. We also consider clinical practice points on the management of venous, arterial and small vessel thrombosis, in the context of first and recurrent thrombotic events. Non-criteria manifestations of APS are reviewed. An approach to recurrent thrombosis and anticoagulant-refractory APS is discussed, with options including increasing the anticoagulation intensity of vitamin K antagonists, switching to low-molecular-weight-heparin, the use of fondaparinux and/or the addition of antiplatelet treatment. Adjunctive options such as vitamin D, hydroxychloroquine and statins are also addressed.

Definition and treatment approach of non-criteria clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies. However, in APS, there are several non-thrombotic clinical manifestations such as thrombocytopenia, cardiac valve disease, microthrombotic nephropathy, skin ulcer, or cognitive dysfunction. These non-criteria manifestations are relatively common and usually are non-responsive to anticoagulation. Among the non-criteria manifestations, thrombocytopenia, skin ulcers, migraine, and heart valve lesions are the most frequent manifestations described in APS. Limited data are available on the treatment of non-criteria manifestations of APS, and most therapeutic options are based on case reports or retrospective non-randomized studies. Although there is no consensus on the treatment of non-criteria manifestations of APS, anticoagulant therapy and immunomodulatory drugs could be combined in most patients.

Markers of autoimmunity in immune thrombocytopenia: prevalence and prognostic significance

Prior studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of autoimmune markers in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Clinical experience has suggested that there may be an association between autoimmune markers and poor outcomes in ITP, but current guidelines do not encourage routine testing in these patients. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of autoimmune markers in adult patients with ITP from our institutional database and used multiple logistic regression analyses to test for an association between autoimmune marker positivity and thrombotic events or clinical remission. We also assessed whether positivity for common autoimmune markers was associated with positivity for platelet autoantibodies. There was a high rate of autoimmune marker positivity in this population, with antinuclear antibody (65%), antithyroid peroxidase antibody (31%), and direct antiglobulin (29%) the most commonly found. Antithyroid peroxidase antibody positivity was associated with a lower probability of remission (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.79; P = .017). Lupus anticoagulant positivity was associated with a higher rate of thrombosis (OR, 8.92; 95% CI, 1.94-40.95; P = .005), and antinuclear antibody was strongly associated with thrombosis (P = .001). There was no relation between platelet autoantibody positivity and the presence of autoimmune markers. These results suggest that many patients with ITP have a state of immune dysregulation that extends beyond platelet autoantibodies and that certain autoimmune markers may be prognostically useful in this disorder.

A 75-year-old woman with primary antiphospholipid syndrome presenting with livedoid vasculopathy

The clinical presentation of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) can vary, often mimicking many other medical conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose at the first presentation because of the absence of classical symptoms. We described an unusual presentation of PAPS mimicking livedoid vasculopathy (LV), where the only diagnostic clue at the initial presentation was skin lesions in both lower legs. A 75-year-old Han Chinese woman presented with features mimicking LV, without clinically significant antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). After many relevant laboratory examinations and histopathological examination, the patient was finally diagnosed as having PAPS. LV should not be treated as an independent disease, but as a skin manifestation. A high degree of suspicion of APS is needed in patients presenting or diagnosed with LV. Early interventions are necessary to prevent and reduce the risk of thrombosis. This case presents a rare clinical manifestation and provides significant information on PAPS.

Cryptic conspirators: a conversation about thrombocytopenia and antiphospholipid syndrome

Purpose of review

Although antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is best known for conveying increased risk of thrombotic events and pregnancy morbidity, thrombocytopenia is also recognized as a common association. In this review, we will explore the relationship between thrombocytopenia and APS, highlighting our evolving understanding – and persistent knowledge gaps – through clinically oriented questions and answers.

Recent findings

A history of thrombocytopenia likely portends a more severe APS phenotype (including increased risk of thrombosis). Although the pathophysiology underlying thrombocytopenia in APS has yet to be definitively revealed, mechanisms that play a role (at least in subsets of patients) include: immune thrombocytopenic purpura/ITP-like autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins; antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-mediated platelet activation and consumption; and potentially life threatening thrombotic microangiopathy. Although thrombocytopenia is often ‘mild’ in APS (and therefore, may not require specific therapy), there are causes of acute-onset thrombocytopenia that mandate emergent work-up and treatment. When APS-related thrombocytopenia does require therapy, the approach must be individualized (requiring an understanding of pathophysiology in the particular APS patient). For patients with ITP-like disease, rituximab is emerging as a popular approach to treatment; in contrast, there are hints that thrombopoietin mimetics may be associated with elevated thrombotic risk.

Summary

Thrombocytopenia is common in APS, and is likely associated with more severe disease. Improved understanding of thrombocytopenia in APS has the potential to improve risk stratification, reveal novel aspects of APS pathophysiology, and lead to treatments that are more individualized and holistic.

Anaesthetic considerations for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome undergoing non-cardiac surgery

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombotic autoimmune disorder that is clinically characterized by the development of thrombosis and obstetric morbidities in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Due to hypercoagulability, the focus of management is anticoagulation for the prevention of thrombosis and its recurrence. When such patients undergo surgery, however, the underlying risk of thrombosis increases as a result of anticoagulant withdrawal, immobilization, and/or intimal injury. Conversely, there is also an increased risk of bleeding due to thrombocytopaenia, possible disseminated intravascular coagulation, or progression to catastrophic APS, as a result of excessive anticoagulation, surgery, and infection. Measures for appropriate perioperative anticoagulation are discussed in this review, as well as anaesthetic considerations for preventing perioperative complications in patients with APS undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of microvascular involvement in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: a longitudinal single-center study in China

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors of microvascular involvement and survival in Chinese patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective study, we enrolled 112 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary antiphospholipid syndrome who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to December 2016. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and follow-up records were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome were studied. Microvascular involvement was identified in 21 patients (18.75%). Patients with microvascular involvement experienced fewer episodes of arterial or venous thrombosis (28.6% vs. 84.6%) and a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia (85.7% vs. 54.9%), respectively. Low complement and elevated high-sensitivity CRP levels were observed more frequently in the microvascular group compared with the non-microvascular group (complement 38.1% vs. 18.7%; high-sensitivity CRP 71.4% vs. 31.9%, respectively). Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies were more prevalent in patients with microvascular involvement than in patients without (66.7% vs. 33.0%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia (odds ratio = 4.523, 95% confidence interval 1.139-17.962), elevated high-sensitivity CRP levels (odds ratio = 6.385, 95% confidence interval 1.969-20.704), and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody positivity (odds ratio = 5.042, 95% confidence interval 1.555-16.352) were independent risk factors for microvascular involvement. A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that survival was significantly poorer in patients with microvascular involvement compared with patients without (p = 0.0278).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to arterial and venous thrombosis, antiphospholipid syndrome can affect the microvasculature of select organs. It is thus important for clinicians to be aware that antiphospholipid syndrome-associated microvascular involvement has a unique pathogenesis and can be a life-threatening condition.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopaenia in a single-centre cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Turkey: clinical associations and effect on disease damage and survival

Introduction

Thrombocytopaenia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) have considerable impact on prognosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the frequencies of these haemocytopaenias, along with their associations and effect on outcome in a single-centre cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods

Demographic characteristics, clinical features, autoantibody profiles, damage and mortality data were compared between patients with and without each haematological abnormality. Variables displaying significant differences between the groups were entered into logistic regression.

Results

Ninety-three patients had AIHA and 215 had thrombocytopaenia. Both were associated with neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, with each other, leucopaenia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and antiphospholipid antibodies. More patients in both groups had organ damage, and their damage scores were higher. Association to NP damage was discernible. In addition, cardiovascular and renal damage and diabetes were more pronounced in patients with thrombocytopaenia. At logistic regression analysis, younger age, anticardiolipin antibody IgM positivity, leucopaenia and thrombocytopaenia were associated with AIHA whilst lupus anticoagulant activity, AIHA, leucopaenia, APS and NP involvement were associated with thrombocytopaenia. Among damage items, peripheral vascular damage, diabetes, NP damage, renal and ocular damage displayed significant associations with thrombocytopaenia, whereas none of the items did with AIHA. Patients with AIHA had significantly reduced survival rates at 10 and 20 years.

Conclusions

We observed that AIHA and thrombocytopaenia were associated with severe lupus, affecting major organs and causing end organ damage. Thus, they may be considered as prognostic markers. Furthermore, AIHA and especially thrombocytopaenia may also be a marker for a subgroup of lupus patients who have or may develop APS.

Presence of Immune Complexes of IgG/IgM Bound to B2-glycoprotein I Is Associated With Non-criteria Clinical Manifestations in Patients With Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune disorder defined by the presence of both clinical (thromboembolic events or pregnancy morbidity) and laboratory (antiphospholipid antibodies, aPL) manifestations. Despite their importance, several clinical manifestations strongly associated with APS such as livedo reticularis (LR), thrombocytopenia, sicca-ophthalmic(sicca), heart, or neurological manifestations are not included in the APS clinical classification criteria. Circulating immune complexes (CIC) formed by Beta-2-glycoprotein I (B2GPI) and aPL (B2-CIC) have been described and their presence has been related with thrombotic events.

Methods: Cross-sectional and observational cohort study in APS patients with thrombotic symptomatology.

Setting and Participants: Fifty-seven patients from the University Hospital Center Bezanijska Kosa (Belgrade, Serbia) who met the APS classification criteria (35 with primary APS and 22 with APS associated to systemic lupus erythematosus). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of B2-CIC in APS patients and to evaluate their association with clinical manifestations of APS not included in the classification criteria.

Results: B2-CIC prevalence in APS patients was 19.3%. The presence of thrombocytopenia (OR:5.7), livedo reticularis (OR:5.6), sicca (OR:12.6), and leukopenia (OR:5.6) was significantly higher in patients with B2-CIC than in the rest of APS patients. C3 and C4 complement factor levels were significantly lower in B2-CIC positive patients, which suggests a greater consumption of complement. Patients with quadruple aPL positivity (triple aPL-positivity plus the presence of B2-CIC) showed a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and LR than those with single/double aPL-positivity. No significant differences were found in the frequencies observed in patients with triple-only vs. single/double aPL-positivity. There were no significant differences between patients with primary APS and lupus-associated APS regarding the prevalence of B2-CIC and outcomes.

Conclusions: Presence of B2-CIC is strongly associated with several non-criteria clinical manifestations related to APS and to higher complement consumption. More studies are required to better understand the clinical significance of B2-CIC.

Safety and efficacy of thrombopoeitin mimetics for refractory immune thrombocytopenia purpura in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome: a case series

Background

While thrombopoeitin (TPO) agonists that act to simulate platelet production have been approved for use in steroid-refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), there are few data on the safety and efficacy of these medications in patients with concurrent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Given that these agents can increase all hematopoietic cell lineages, it is unclear if there is an increased risk for exacerbation of the underlying lymphocyte-driven autoimmune disease in this population.

Case summaries

This case series includes four patients with SLE, one with concurrent APS, who were treated for steroid-refractory ITP with TPO mimetics at the University of Virginia between 2005 and 2015. In three of the four cases the medication was successful in improving platelet counts and preventing bleeding events. In addition, none of the patients experienced thrombosis or worsening of their underlying autoimmune disease.

Conclusions

This case series suggests that TPO mimetics are safe and moderately effective in patients with ITP in the setting of SLE or APS and do not contribute to increased disease activity.

Thrombocytopenia in high-risk patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

Essentials The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome is not well defined. We studied triple positive patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and its catastrophic variant. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 6% and 100% in patients who developed the catastrophic form. In triple positive patients thrombocytopenia is low and platelets drop during the catastrophic form.

SUMMARY

Background Thrombocytopenia is the most common non-criteria hematological feature in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This condition is more common in patients with catastrophic APS (CAPS). Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in a large series of high-risk patients with APS, and to assess the behavior of the platelet count during CAPS. Methods/Patients This was a cross-sectional study in which we analyzed the platelet counts of a homogeneous group of high-risk APS patients (triple-positive). Six of these patients developed a catastrophic phase of the disease, and the platelet count was recorded before the acute phase, during the acute phase, and at recovery. Results The mean platelet count in 119 high-risk triple-positive patients was 210 × 109 L-1 . With a cut-off value for thrombocytopenia of 100 × 109 L-1 , the prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 6% (seven patients). No difference between primary APS and secondary APS was found. In patients who suffered from CAPS, a significant decrease from the basal count (212 ± 51 × 109 L-1 ) to that at the time of diagnosis (60 ± 33 × 109 L-1 ) was observed. The platelet count became normal again at the time of complete remission (220 ± 57 × 109 L-1 ). A decrease in platelet count always preceded the full clinical picture. Conclusions This study shows that, in high-risk APS patients, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia is low. A decrease in platelet count was observed in all of the patients who developed the catastrophic form of the disease. A decrease in platelet count in high-risk APS patients should be considered a warning signal for disease progression to CAPS.

Antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies. APS can present with a variety of clinical phenotypes, including thrombosis in the veins, arteries and microvasculature as well as obstetrical complications. The pathophysiological hallmark is thrombosis, but other factors such as complement activation might be important. Prevention of thrombotic manifestations associated with APS includes lifestyle changes and, in individuals at high risk, low-dose aspirin. Prevention and treatment of thrombotic events are dependent mainly on the use of vitamin K antagonists. Immunosuppression and anticomplement therapy have been used anecdotally but have not been adequately tested. Pregnancy morbidity includes unexplained recurrent early miscarriage, fetal death and late obstetrical manifestation such as pre-eclampsia, premature birth or fetal growth restriction associated with placental insufficiency. Current treatment to prevent obstetrical morbidity is based on low-dose aspirin and/or low-molecular-weight heparin and has improved pregnancy outcomes to achieve successful live birth in >70% of pregnancies. Although hydroxychloroquine and pravastatin might further improve pregnancy outcomes, prospective clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.

Thrombotic risk stratification by platelet count in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies: a longitudinal study

Essentials Thrombotic risk stratification is an unmet need in antiphospholipid antibody carriers. Platelet count and antiphospholipid score (aPL-S) were combined to predict thrombotic events. Patients with high aPL-S are at high thrombotic risk regardless of platelet count. If platelet count is low, patients with low aPL-S are also on high thrombotic risk.

SUMMARY

Background Thrombocytopenia is a non-criteria clinical manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome. However, it remains to be elucidated whether thrombocytopenia increases thrombotic risk in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) carriers. Objectives To investigate the impact of platelet count in terms of predicting thrombotic events in aPL carriers, and to stratify the thrombotic risk by combining platelet count and antiphospholipid score (aPL-S), which represents a quantification of aPL varieties and titers. Patients/methods A single-center, retrospective, longitudinal study comprising 953 consecutive patients who were suspected of having autoimmune disease between January 2002 and December 2006 was performed. Low platelet count was defined as a count of < 150 × 103 μL-1 at the time of aPL testing. Results A negative correlation was observed between aPL-S and platelet count (r = - 0.2477). Among aPL-positive patients, those with a low platelet count developed thrombosis more frequently than those without (hazard ratio [HR] 2.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-7.88). Among aPL-negative patients, no difference was found in the predictive value of thrombosis regardless of platelet count. Patients with aPLs were further divided into two subgroups according to aPL-S. Among low-aPL-S patients, those with low platelet counts developed thrombosis more frequently than those without (HR 3.44, 95% CI 1.05-11.2). In contrast, high-aPL-S patients developed thrombosis frequently regardless of platelet count. Conclusions aPL carriers with low platelet counts are at high risk of developing thrombosis. In particular, 'low-aPL-S carriers' may be stratified by platelet count in terms of predicting future thrombotic events.

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome associated with severe thrombocytopenia in a child

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) comprises lupus anticoagulant, acquired hypoprothrombinemia, and often mild thrombocytopenia or normal platelets. It is usually associated with autoimmunity or postviral illness. We describe a case of a 10-year-old boy with oral bleeding and severe thrombocytopenia initially suggestive of immune thrombocytopenia. Secondary to bleeding, evaluation demonstrated prolonged coagulation tests and subsequently revealed the presence of lupus anticoagulant and hypoprothrombinemia, along with marked autoimmunity, suggestive of LAHPS. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and hydroxychloroquine. This case report and discussion highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with LAHPS and coincident severe thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia as a thrombotic risk factor in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies without disease criteria

INTRODUCTION

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired immune disorder defined by the presence of thrombosis (arterial and/or venous) and/or pregnancy morbidity along with the presence of positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). There is a clear relationship between aPL and some events not included in the clinical criteria, including haematologic.

OBJECTIVES

a) to study the probability of developing clinical APS in patients with positive aPL and thrombopenia; b) to identify potential risk factors for thrombosis, and c) to study the association between thrombocytopenia and aPL.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 138 patients with positive aPL without fulfilling clinical criteria for APS. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count≤100,000/μl. Patients with other causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded.

RESULTS

Seventeen of the 138 (12%) patients in the study had thrombocytopenia. The mean platelet count was 60,000/μl. The risk of developing thrombocytopenia was higher in smokers (OR 2.8; P=.044), in those with lupus anticoagulant (OR 13.5; P<.001) and those with higher burden of aPL (OR 50.8; P<.001). After a mean follow-up of 146±60.3 months, 5 patients with thrombocytopenia (29.4%) developed thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In our series, the incidence of thrombocytopenia is 12%. aPL-positive patients who develop thrombocytopenia have a potential risk of developing thrombosis. Tobacco could be a risk factor for thrombocytopenia. Autoantibodies load is a risk factor for the development of thrombocytopenia.

Vaccinations and secondary immune thrombocytopenia with antiphospholipid antibodies by human papillomavirus vaccine

A 13-year-old girl developed immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and concomitant positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) following vaccination with a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. During the course of a disease, she developed clinical manifestation with bleeding and she was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins. Consequently, the number of her platelets remained critically low and she was put on corticosteroids and rituximab. Since then, her platelet count remain within the normal range, but her aPL are still present.

Refractory Immunological Thrombocytopenia Purpura and Splenectomy in Pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 100,000 platelets per microlitre (mcL). Thrombocytopenia develops in approximately 6-7% of women during pregnancy and at least 3% of these cases are caused by immunological platelet destruction. Herein, we present a pregnant woman who develops at the first trimester autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura associated with positive antiphospholipid antibodies. The disease was refractory to pharmacological treatments but had a favourable response to splenectomy. The patient carried the pregnancy to term without complication and gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

The significance and management of thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome

The association between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and clinical problems goes beyond what is stated in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria, namely thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity, and thrombocytopenia is the most common non-criteria hematologic manifestation of aPL with a frequency ranging from 20 to 50 %. Thrombocytopenia is rarely severe, and hemorrhage is far less common than thrombosis. However, when anticoagulation is considered, it may constitute a clinical problem with increased bleeding risk. Furthermore, thrombocytopenia represents a risk factor for thrombosis in aPL-positive patients. Therefore, it is important to understand the pathogenesis and the clinical associations of thrombocytopenia to build the right medical approach in aPL-positive patients. In this paper, we review the literature on aPL/APS-associated thrombocytopenia and briefly discuss the other conditions that can result in thrombocytopenia as they have commonalities with APS and their recognition is important to establish the most appropriate treatment strategy.