Profile of antiphospholipid antibodies in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women with a history of thrombosis

Introduction Increased antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, the association between aPL and the increased risk of thrombosis in HIV requires further clarification. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 215 consecutive women with a history of thrombosis and/or obstetric complications (158 HIV-uninfected and 57 HIV-infected) between July 2017 and March 2021. Participants (n = 215) without clinical criteria manifestations for antiphospholipid syndrome were included as matched controls. Testing for lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta2-glycoprotein1 (a beta 2GP1) IgM and IgG was performed. Results Thirty-two (10.1%) HIV-uninfected and 15 (13.2%) HIV-infected participants were positive at baseline for one of the five criteria aPL, with no statistically significant difference. The profile of the HIV-infected participants with thrombosis (n = 11) included LAC in 15.8%, aCL IgG in 3.5% and a beta 2GP1 IgG in 1.8%. In contrast, the HIV-infected controls (n = 4), included aCL IgM in 1.8% and a beta 2GP1 IgM in 5.3%. Only LAC was significantly associated with thrombosis (p < 0.003). On repeat testing, in a HIV-infected sub-population, 2/7 with thrombosis were positive, while 3/3 controls tested negative. Conclusion In contrast to earlier reports, the prevalence and expression of aPL in HIV-infected women with a history of thrombosis in the present study, in the era of antiretroviral therapy, were similar to HIV-uninfected women. Baseline LAC positivity was associated with a significantly increased risk for thrombosis in HIV. Future studies are recommended to explore additional coagulation abnormalities in HIV.

Automated summary

This study found that the prevalence and expression of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in HIV-infected women with a history of thrombosis were similar to HIV-uninfected women. However, baseline positivity of lupus anticoagulant (LAC) was significantly associated with an increased risk of thrombosis in HIV.