Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex and the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antibodies to prothrombin can be detected by ELISA using prothrombin coated onto irradiated plates (aPT) or the phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex as antigen (aPS/PT) and they have been both related with the clinical manifestation of APS. Current evidence supports the concept that they belong to distinct populations of autoantibodies. Nevertheless, they can both be detected simultaneously in one patient. This mini-review will focus on data available on aPS/PT antibodies and their clinical utility in the diagnosis of APS.