Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2014) 3(2): 547-553
The Prevalence of Anticardiolipin Antibodies in women with
Bad Obstetric History
Nadia Mudher Al-Hilli1 and Hadi Mohammad Al-Mosawi2*
1Babylon University/ College of Medicine/ Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
2Babylon University/ College of Medicine/ Department of Pathology
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
Bad obstetric history (BOH) implies previous unfavorable fetal outcome in terms of two or
more consecutive spontaneous abortions, early neonatal deaths, stillbirths, intrauterine fetal
deaths, intrauterine growth retardation and congenital anomalies. The immune factors
associated with pregnancy loss are classified as autoimmune and alloimmune factors. The
autoimmune factors include the synthesis of autoantibodies (anti-phospholipid antibodies,
anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-thyroid antibodies). The main types of antiphospholipid
antibodies are Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) and Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies (IgG &
IgM). To measure the level of anticardiolipin antibodies in the sera of women with bad
obstetric history. The study was conducted from October 2009 till June 2011 including 117
patients who attended private clinic & laboratory. Patients included in the sudy were those
with history of two or more recurrent miscarriages, intrauterine fetal death & stillbirth. Fetal
losses due to diabetes or congenital anomalies were excluded. Serum levels of
anticardiolipin IgM & IgG antibodies were measured using AESKULISA phospholipid-
Screen-GM (Germany) which is a solid phase enzyme immunassay for the separate
qualitative & quantitative detection of IgG and /or IgM antibodies in human sera. From the
total of 117 patients with BOH fourteen (11.96%) had positive anticardiolipin antibodies in
their sera. When comparing between the different groups of patient who were classified
according to the type of fetal loss the highest number & percentage of positive
anticardiolipin antibody were found in those with three & more recurrent miscarriages (4
cases, 57.14%). When comparing the IgM & IgG levels in different patients groups, the
highest levels were found in those with three & more recurrent miscarriages.
Anticardiolipin antibodies can have a positive association in women with bad obstetric
history especially those with three & more recurrent miscarrigages. The level of IgM & IgG
is highest in this group however these antibodies should be looked for in other patients with
BOH