Comparison of Different Test Systems for the Detection of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in a Chinese Cohort

Background: Diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is based on the positivity of laboratory criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Test results for aPLs could be contradictory among different detection methods as well as commercial manufacturers. This study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic and analytic performances of four commercial assays prevalently used in China. Methods: A total of 313 patients including 100 patients diagnosed with primary APS, 52 with APS secondary to SLE, 71 with SLE, and 90 health controls were recruited. Serum IgG, IgM, and IgA for aCL, and a beta 2GPI antibodies were detected with two ELISA and two CLIA systems, and test system with the best diagnostic value was explored of its correlation with key clinical features. Results: CLIA by YHLO Biotech Co. was considered as the system with the best predictive power, where 58.55 and 57.89% of APS patients were positive for aCL or a beta 2GPI for at least one antibody (IgG or IgM or IgA). Overall, CLIA showed better performance characteristics than traditional ELISA test systems. Conclusion: CLIA was considered as a better platform for aPL detection in APS diagnosis. A combination of other detection platforms could assist in differential diagnosis as well as in identifying high-risk patients.Y

Automated summary

This study assessed and compared the diagnostic and analytic performances of four commercial assays for antiphospholipid syndrome in China, finding that the CLIA by YHLO Biotech Co. showed the best predictive power and outperformed traditional ELISA test systems. Combining other detection platforms could assist in differential diagnosis and identifying high-risk patients.