An Unusual Increase of Blood Anti-beta 2-glycoprotein-I Antibody but not Antiphospholipid Antibody in Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

An abnormal increase in anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) is capable of producing thrombosis and the vasculopathy-simulating antiphospholipid antibody (aPL). However, it is rarely described in cerebral ischemia without an association with aPL. The authors report a middle-aged man who experienced recurrent cerebral ischemia and diffuse cerebral stenosis without the apparent traditional cardiovascular risk factor. He was free of antiphos pholipid/cofactor syndrome (APCS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An increase of blood aβ2GPI was detected in serial measurements. The aPL, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, Coombs' test, and antinuclear factor were negative. Activated partial thromboplastin time was normal. This patient is a reminder to consider aβ2GPI in an unex plained recurrent cerebral thrombosis and cerebral artery stenosis even when the typical clinical manifestation or laboratory data of APCS is absent.