The effect of different microtitre plates on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs).

Studies have shown an association between the presence of ACAs, measured by an ELISA, and thrombosis, foetal loss and thrombocytopenia (1-7). Most patients with the syndrome have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or a related autoimmune disease (8). In studies of the rates of thrombotic episodes in patients with the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and, or ACAs associated with SLE and non- SLE diseases there is considerable variation. For instance, investigations of women with a poor obstetric history: 13.1% had ACAs (4),42.4% (3), 81.5% (5), others have found a lower frequency of habitual aborters with the LAC and, or ACAs arguing that ACAs play only a minor role in spontaneous abortion (9). This paper reports the results of an investigation into how the choice of brand name microtitre plates affects the result of the ACA ELISA.