A test for antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein is prescribed for suspected antiphospholipid syndrome. This serious illness is accompanied by clogging of veins and arteries with blood clots. In pregnant women, it can cause a miscarriage. How to decrypt analysis data? And what to do in case of deviations from the norm in the test results? We will consider these issues in the article.
What it is
Beta-2-glycoprotein (GPBB1) is a protein that is produced in liver cells. It contains over 300 amino acids. If the patient has increased antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein, then this indicates a pathological process. In this case, the human immune system attacks its own phospholipids, which are part of the liver cells.
A high level of such antibodies negatively affects blood coagulation. The patient has an increased risk of thrombosis. If the autoimmune process develops during pregnancy, then this can cause gestosis, miscarriage or premature birth.
The body produces 3 types of antibodies to beta-2 glycoprotein:
To identify the concentration of immunoglobulins, you need to pass a special analysis. Venous blood is taken for the sample. The biomaterial is examined by the enzyme immunoassay. In the laboratory, both the total number of antibodies and the level of each type of Ig are counted.
Indications for the test
In what cases is it necessary to do a test for antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein-1? Doctors prescribe this analysis in the following cases:
- If antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is suspected. This autoimmune disease is accompanied by blockage of blood vessels by blood clots and various pathologies in pregnant women during gestation.
- With a diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus. This disease can be complicated by APS.
- After spontaneous abortion (for periods later than 9 weeks). Research confirms or refutes AFS as a possible cause of miscarriage.
Before taking the sample, the patient is prescribed an analysis for lupus anticoagulant and antibodies to cardiolipin. If there are deviations from the norm in the results of these studies, then the patient must definitely be tested for antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein. This test reliably detects APS.
The analysis is usually given twice with a break of 12 weeks. If the level of immunoglobulins is increased in the results of two tests, then the doctor will diagnose APS.
Sample preparation
In order for the test results to be accurate, the following rules must be observed before taking blood:
- Stop eating any food 8 to 10 hours before the study. This test is taken only on an empty stomach. Before the test, you can only drink clean water.
- Stop smoking 1 - 2 hours before blood donation.
- The day before the test, avoid intense training and other physical exertion.
- 24 hours before the analysis, you need to stop drinking alcohol.
- Blood can not be donated immediately after undergoing physiotherapy and ultrasound examination.
Test results are usually ready in 7 to 8 days.
Normal performance
Normally, in humans, the total level of antibodies to this protein should be from 0 to 20 RU / ml. In this case, the decryption of the analysis indicates a negative result.
If the concentration of immunoglobulins is higher than normal, then doctors are talking about a positive test. This may be a sign of pathology. It is important to remember that normal test scores are the same for patients of any gender and age. The results of the analysis are not affected by the characteristics of nutrition and the patient's day regimen.
The lower limit of the norm in this test does not exist. Even the complete absence of antibodies does not indicate pathology.
Reasons for deviations
Elevated antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein usually indicate APS. This disease is more likely to affect women than men. It can develop as a primary autoimmune process. The exact causes of antiphospholipid syndrome are unknown; a hereditary factor plays an important role in its occurrence. Also, APS can be secondary in nature. This syndrome is often observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, which is a serious complication and worsens the prognosis.
Patients with APS have blood clots in the veins of the legs and arteries. Patients suffer from frequent headaches resembling a migraine attack. Subcutaneous hemorrhages and leg ulcers are often observed. This is a rather dangerous pathology. Without treatment, APS can lead to blockage of vital vessels, which leads to death, as well as a heart attack or stroke.
When decoding the analysis, the doctor always pays attention to the variety of immunoglobulins. If a patient has elevated IgG antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein, then this is usually one of the signs of lupus erythematosus. The IgM level can also be high. In this case, the APS is secondary.
A high concentration of IgM antibodies to beta-2-glycoprotein is detected in women with APS suffering from frequent miscarriages. The patient needs to undergo treatment. Without therapy, repeated pregnancy may again spontaneously terminate. Also, AFS during the period of gestation can lead to childbirth earlier than expected, severe toxicosis, as well as to the birth of a child with congenital pathologies. In addition, pregnant women have an increased risk of blood clots.
What to do with an increase in antibodies
The doctor usually does not diagnose according to only one analysis. If the patient has an increased level of immunoglobulins, then the test must be taken again after 3 months to exclude random results of the sample.
Be sure to take into account the results of tests for antibodies to cardiolipins and lupus anticoagulant. If the data of these tests turned out to be positive, and the analysis for Ig twice showed the level of immunoglobulins above normal, then antiphospholipid syndrome is diagnosed.
The decryption of the analysis must be shown to the rheumatologist. This doctor is engaged in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. If a woman passed this test in order to identify the cause of a miscarriage, then a gynecologist will also be needed.
Treatment
If the patient is diagnosed with APS, then urgent treatment is necessary. At the beginning of the disease, blood clots in the vessels can still be prevented. Patients are prescribed special drugs to thin the blood:
- "Aspirin".
- Warfarin.
- Pentoxifylline.
In some cases, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated:
These drugs also reduce blood coagulation.
If antiphospholipid syndrome develops against the background of systemic lupus erythematosus, then corticosteroid hormones and immunosuppressants are included in the treatment regimen:
- Prednisone.
- Metipred.
- "Azathioprine."
- "Plaquenil."
Such therapy can slightly reduce the activity of antibodies. However, during the treatment period, the patient needs to protect himself from infections, since the above drugs suppress immunity.
If AFS develops during pregnancy, then it is necessary to prescribe the most sparing drugs with minimal side effects. Patients are advised to take small doses of Aspirin. Injections of Heparin are also indicated.
If the APS is difficult to treat, then a dropper is prescribed with the drug "Human normal immunoglobulin." A plasmapheresis procedure is also performed, in which blood is passed through a special filter. This allows you to remove excess antibodies.