Test ID: CLPMG
Phospholipid (Cardiolipin) Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Testing for phospholipid antibodies is indicated in the following clinical situations:
-Unexplained arterial or venous thrombosis
-A history of pregnancy morbidity defined as 1 or more unexplained deaths of a morphologically normal fetus beyond the 10th week of gestation, 1 or more premature births before 34 weeks of gestation caused by severe preeclampsia or placental insufficiency, or 3 or more unexplained, consecutive spontaneous abortions before the 10th week of gestation with no identifiable maternal hormonal or anatomic, or maternal or paternal chromosomal causes
-Presence of an unexplained cutaneous circulatory disturbance, eg, livido reticularis or pyoderma gangrenosum
-Presence of a systemic rheumatic disease especially lupus erythematosus
-Unexplained thrombocytopenia or hemolytic anemia
-Possible nonbacterial, thrombotic endocarditis
Profile Information
A profile is a group of laboratory tests that are ordered and performed together under a single Mayo Test ID. Profile information lists the test performed, inclusive of the test fee, when a profile is ordered and includes reporting names and individual availability.
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCLIP | Phospholipid Ab IgM, S | Yes | Yes |
| GCLIP | Phospholipid Ab IgG, S | Yes | Yes |
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Anticardiolipin Antibodies
Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Cardiolip
Cardiolipin Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum
Phospholip
Phospholipid Antibodies (Cardiolipin Antibodies), IgG and IgM, Serum
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days |
| Frozen | 21 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
The plasma membranes of mammalian cells are formed from phosphorlipids. Anionic phospholipids (eg, phosphatidylserine) are found on the cytoplasmic surface and neutral phospholipids (eg, phosphatidylcholine) predominate on the external surface. Membrane phospholipids participate in several important cellular functions including exchanging metabolites across membranes, transferring molecular signals and serving as a platform for the assembly of protein-lipid complexes.(1) Cellular activation is often accompanied by the translocation of anionic phospholipids to the external membrane surface. For example, during platelet-mediated blood coagulation phosphatidylserine is translocated from the inner platelet membrane and provides a surface for the assembly of the prothrombinase enzyme complex that catalyzes the formation of thrombin.
Complexes of negatively charged (anionic) phospholipids and endogenous plasma proteins provide epitopes recognized by natural autoantibodies.(2) Plasma from normal individuals contains low concentrations of natural IgG autoantibodies of moderate affinity. Pathologic levels of autoantibodies reflect loss of tolerance and increased production of antibodies. These autoantibodies are called phospholipid or cardiolipin antibodies when they are detected by immunoassays that employ anionic phospholipids as substrates. The most commonly used phospholipid substrate is cardiolipin. The term phospholipid antibody is actually a misnomer. The autoantibodies react with epitopes of protein molecules that associate noncovalently with reagent phospholipids. The best characterized phospholipid-binding protein is beta 2 glycoprotein 1 and most immunoassays for phospholipid antibodies employ a composite substrate consisting of cardiolipin plus beta 2 glycoprotein 1(beta 2 GP1). Beta 2 GP1 is a 326 amino acid polypeptide that contains 5 homologous domains of approximately 60 amino acids each. Most phospholipid antibodies bind to an epitope associated with domain 1 near the N-terminus. Autoantibodies can also be detected by the use of functional, phospholipid-dependent coagulation assays. Phospholipid antibodies detected by functional assays are often called lupus anticoagulants because they produce prolongation of phospholipid-dependent clotting in vitro. Not all phospholipid antibodies possess lupus anticoagulant activity.(3) Only those phospholipid antibodies that are capable of cross-linking beta 2 GP1 molecules can interact efficiently with phospholipid surfaces in functional coagulation assays. It is hypothesized that complexes formed in vivo between bivalent, natural autoantibodies and beta 2 GP1 bind to translocated, anionic phospholipid on activated platelets at sites of endothelial injury. This binding is believed to promote further platelet activation that may lead to thrombosis.
Phospholipid antibodies occur in patients with a variety of clinical signs and symptoms notably thrombosis (arterial or venous) pregnancy morbidity (unexplained fetal death, premature birth, severe preeclampsia, or placental insufficiency) unexplained cutaneous circulation disturbances (livido reticularis or pyoderma gangrenosum) thrombocytopenia or hemolytic anemia and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Phospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulants are found with increased frequency in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases especially lupus erythematosus. The term antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or Hughes' syndrome is used to describe the triad of thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia accompanied by phospholipid antibodies or a lupus anticoagulant. The diagnosis of APS requires 1 or more of the above mentioned clinical findings plus positive test results for phospholipid antibodies (> or =40 GPL or MPL) or positive tests for a lupus anticoagulant on more than 1 occasion separated by at least 6 weeks.(4)
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
<10.0 MPL or GPL (negative)
10.0-14.9 MPL or GPL (borderline)
15.0-39.9 MPL or GPL (weakly positive)
40.0-79.9 MPL or GPL (positive)
> or =80.0 MPL or GPL (strongly positive)
MPL refers to IgM Phospholipid Units. One MPL unit is 1 microgram of IgM antibody.
GPL refers to IgG Phospholipid Units. One GPL unit is 1 microgram of IgG antibody.
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Positive and strongly positive results for phospholipid antibodies (> or =40 GPL and/or MPL) are a diagnostic criterion for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Lesser levels of phospholipid antibodies and antibodies of the IgA isotype may occur in patients with clinical signs of APS but the results are not considered diagnostic.
Detection of phospholipid antibodies is not affected by anticoagulant treatment.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
The immunoassay for phospholipid antibodies does not distinguish between autoantibodies and antibodies produced in response to infectious agents or as epiphenomena following thrombosis. For this reason, a single positive test result is not sufficient to meet accepted serologic criteria for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome.
Comparative studies and interlaboratory proficiency surveys indicate that results of phospholipid antibody tests can be highly variable and results obtained with different commercial immunoassays may yield substantially different results.(5,6)
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Bevers EM, Comfurius P, Dekkers DW, et al: Lipid translocation across the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 1999;1439:317-330
2. Arnout J, Vermylen J: Current status and implications of autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies in relation to thrombotic disease. J Thromb Haemost 2003;1:931-942
3. Proven A, Bartlett RP, Moder KG, et al: Clinical importance of positive test results for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies. Mayo Clin Proc 2004;79:467-475
4. Wilson WW, Gharavi AE, Koike T, et al: International consensus statement on preliminary classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome. Arthritis Rheum 1999;42(7):1309-1311
5. Fontaine MJ, Jacob GL, Nichols WL, et al: Comparative evaluation of three assays for anti-cardiolipin antibodies. J Autoimmun 2000;15(2):A56
6. Favaloro EJ, Wong RC, Silvertrini R, et al: A multilaboratory peer assessment quality assurance program-based evaluation of anticardiolipin antibody, and beta 2 glycoprotein 1 antibody testing. Semin Thromb Hemost 2005;31(1):73-84
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
This test uses microtiter plates coated with bovine cardiolipin and purified bovine beta 2 GP1. Phospholipid antibodies bound in the first stage of the assay are detected with antihuman horseradish peroxidase antibody conjugate in the second stage of the assay by adding 3,3',5,5' tetramethylbenzidine substrate (10 minute incubation followed by addition of 0.5 M H[2]SO[4]). Results for test sera are expressed in U/mL by comparison with standard curves obtained using calibrators at 0, 4, 8, 20, 40 and 100 units.(Varelisa Cardiolipin IgG, Antibodies, Pharmacia Diagnostics, 157-01)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; 4 p.m.
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86147 x 2
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| GCLIP | Phospholipid Ab IgG, S | 3286-2 |
| MCLIP | Phospholipid Ab IgM, S | 3287-0 |


