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mx

Determination of cut-off values in healthy donors

for lupus anticoagulant detection protocol
in the Laboratorio Mdico Echavarra,
Key words:
Lupus anticoagulant,
reference values,
false-positive
reactions, false-
negative reactions,
according to the international guidelines
sensitivity,
specificity. Maribel Saldarriaga-Saldarriaga,* Mary Alejandra Restrepo-Lozada,
Gloria Patricia Montoya-Lpez
Palabras clave:
Anticoagulante lpico,
valores de referencia,
reacciones falsas ABSTRACT RESUMEN
positivas, reacciones
falsas negativas, Background: The main types of antiphospholipid anti- Antecedentes: Los principales tipos de anticuerpos
sensibilidad, bodies are: lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibod- antifosfolpidos son anticoagulante lpico, anticuerpos
especificidad. ies and anti-2 glycoprotein 1. Lupus anticoagulant has anticardiolipina y anti-2 glucoprotena 1. El anticoagu-
been associated with clinical findings such as thrombosis, lante lpico ha sido asociado con hallazgos clnicos como
* Bacteriloga consecutive fetal losses, and thrombocytopenia. Variables trombosis, prdidas fetales consecutivas y trombocitopenia.
y Laboratorista Clnica, can affect the interpretation of the results. Objective: To Algunas variables pueden afectar la interpretacin de
Esp. Coagulacin. determine the cut-off values in healthy donors for the group los resultados. Objetivo: Determinar los valores de corte
Werfen Group of tests required in detecting lupus anticoagulant, in order de donantes sanos para el grupo de pruebas necesarias
Instrumentation to improve the specificity of the test. Methods: Thirty-six para detectar anticoagulante lpico con el fin de mejorar
Laboratory. healthy donors, from whom the cut-off values were calcu- la especificidad de la prueba. Mtodos: Treinta y seis
Bacteriloga
lated. The parameters measured in the study were: baseline donantes sanos, de quienes se calcularon los valores de
y Laboratorista activated partial thromboplastin time, aPTT 1:1 mix with corte. Los parmetros medidos en el estudio fueron el
Clnica, Est. Maestra. normal plasma pool, and screen and confirmatory dilute tiempo de tromboplastina parcial activada inicial, mezcla
Laboratorio Mdico Rusell viper venom time (dRVVTs/ dRVVTc). Results: The de aPTT 1:1 con plasma normal y el tiempo del veneno
Echavarra. cut-off values obtained from percentage correction, Index de vbora diluido de Rusell (dRVVTs/dRVVTc) presuntivo
Bacteriloga
of Circulating Anticoagulant, dRVVTs ratio, dRVVTc y confirmatorio. Resultados: Los valores de corte obteni-
y Laboratorista Clnica.
ratio, and final ratio for Laboratorio Mdico Echavarra dos de la correccin de porcentajes, ndice de circulacin
Laboratorio Mdico
were: 27.6%, 12.18, 1.19, 1.11 and 1.24, respectively. de anticoagulante, relacin dRVVTs, relacin dRVVTc y
Echavarra.
Conclusions: Regarding the means of dRVVTs and dRV- relacin final del Laboratorio Mdico Echavarra fueron:
VTc ratios, the results were very similar to those obtained 27.6, 12.18, 1.19, 1.11 y 1.24%, respectivamente. Conclu-
Correspondence: in other studies. The cut-off value obtained for the ICA siones: En cuanto a los promedios de la relacin dRVVTs
Mary Alejandra and the correction rate were 12.2 and 27.6%, respectively, y relacin dRVVTc, los resultados fueron muy similares a
Restrepo Lozada while the cut-off value reported in the literature is 15 and los obtenidos en otros estudios de lupus anticoagulante.
Coordinadora 10% for both tests, respectively. Los valores de corte obtenidos para la ACI y la tasa de
postanaltica correccin fueron 12.2 y 27.6%, respectivamente, mientras
Carrera 16 14-175 que el valor de corte descrito en la literatura es de 15 y
Medelln-Antioquia 10% para ambas pruebas, respectivamente.
(Colombia-Sur
Amrica)
Tel: (574) 444 4343
be primary or secondary to an autoimmune
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Opcin 3 ext.129 INTRODUCTION
Fax: (574) 2668142 1
disease. Its existence has been known since

A
E-mail:
ntiphospholipid antibodies are a heteroge- the work of Moore in 1952, which showed the
coordpostanalitica@
labechavarria.com neous family of auto- and alloantibodies. occurrence of false-positive tests for syphilis
Detection is performed through coagulation or serology. Indeed, false-positive occurred in
immunological tests. Their presence is not al- the VDRL using phospholipids, while specific
Recibido: ways pathological. Associated with thrombotic treponemal gave negative reactions (TPHA,
28/05/2014.
Aceptado:
events, they define a specific clinical entity: the Nelson).2 The main types of antiphospholipid
30/05/2014. Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), which may antibodies are lupus anticoagulant (LA), anti-

Rev Latinoam Patol Clin Med Lab 2014; 61 (3): 145-149 www.medigraphic.com/patologiaclinica
146 Saldarriaga-Saldarriaga M et al. Determination of cut-off values in healthy donors for lupus anticoagulant detection protocol

cardiolipin antibodies (aCA), and anti-2 glycoprotein I medical history of obstetric complications, early and/or
(anti-2GP1). LA is a heterogeneous group of antibodies late fetal losses.
directed against negatively charged phospholipids or
against complexes formed between phospholipids and Selection of reference population
proteins (2 GP1 or coagulation factors such as prothrom-
bin). These anticoagulants interfere with coagulation tests The study included healthy male and female donors,
in which phospholipids participate, such as the activated which did not submit the exclusion criteria specified
partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and dilute Russell viper by a survey of risk; those who met the inclusion criteria
venom time (dRVVT), among others.3 were required to fill out an informed consent form, which
LA has been documented in various medical articles, unveiled all about the study.
in association with clinical findings of thrombosis, recur-
rent fetal losses, and thrombocytopenia.4 Procedure for sampling
There are variables that can affect the interpretation of
the results for the diagnosis of LA, including the incorrect 1. Sample collection: Sample taking was performed in
selection of patients according to clinical features, the one of the LME service points in the morning. Samples
partial ordering of laboratory tests without prior suspen- were collected mostly without tourniquet use to pre-
sion of oral anticoagulation therapy, the high variability vent microscopic hemolysis, release of tissue factor
regarding the sensitivity and specificity of tests, such as and platelet aggregation. For healthy donors, two
the content and type of phospholipid reagents, activators, tubes of 4 mL sodium citrate anticoagulant to 3.2%
preparation of Normal Plasma Pool (NPP), expression of were taken in a 9:1 ratio, through the vacuum tube
the results and the cut-off values.5 system in the ulnar region of the arm. Following the
The ideal procedures for LA assay are those sensitive protocol for obtaining blood samples from LME, which
enough to detect weak LA and those specific enough to is adjusted according to the CLSI recommendations
avoid incorrect conclusions.6 for this type of test.8
The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off 2. Sample analysis: Each sample obtained was centri-
values in a population of healthy donors for the group fuged at 2,000 g for 15 minutes at room temperature;
of tests required to detect LA in Laboratorio Mdico the plasma was removed with a plastic pipette and
Echavarra (LME), in order to improve the specificity of centrifuged again at 2,500 g for 10 minutes. After
the test5 and provide a detailed protocol that serves as separating plasma, we proceeded to make the NPP
a reference to those laboratories wishing to implement from samples of healthy donors. Platelet count, aPTT
their own cut-off values for this test, as recommended by and percentage of activity of factor VIII were deter-
international guidelines. mined in NPP.
The analyses required for LA testing were performed
METHODS with ACL TOP 300, equipment of Instrumentation
Laboratory, with reagents: HemosIL dRVVT Screen
A prospective study was conducted, determining the cut- (dRVVTs) -0020301500/dRVVT Confirm (dRVVTc)
off values for LA test in a population of healthy donors, - 0020301600, aPTT SP - 0020006300, and Factor
according to the Scientific Standardization Committee VIII deficient Plasma - 0020011800.
(SSC) for this test.5 For quality control, material of the same trading house
Exclusion criteria: Clinical and demographic factors was used in normal, low and high concentrations (Lots:
that could affect the results in the measurement of the N1021609, N0228997, N1121957, respectively) for
parameters for determining the cut-off values, according aPTT test. For Factor VIII, normal control was used
to the C28 -A2 CLSI guide,7 such as: living outside the alone (Lot N1021609). For dRVVTs and dRVVTc tests,
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metropolitan area, subjects older than 50 years of age,
being under special medical treatment; having viral, bac-
they were controlled with positive (0020012500)
and negative (0020012600) controls for LA (Lots
terial, parasitic, malignant and/or hematologic diseases; N0329326 and N0329327, respectively).
being under oral anticoagulation therapy; having personal 3. Measured parameters: Baseline aPTT, aPTT 1:1 mix
or family history of autoimmune or thrombotic diseases, with NPP, dRVVTs and dRVVTc
thrombocytopenia; personal history of venous and arte- For each dRVVTs and dRVVTc reagent, a new normal
rial thrombosis, having skin ulcers on the legs, consuming range was determined according to CLSI C28- A2
any actual medications, and in the case of women past document. The reference range was expressed as

Rev Latinoam Patol Clin Med Lab 2014; 61 (3): 145-149 www.medigraphic.com/patologiaclinica
Saldarriaga-Saldarriaga M et al. Determination of cut-off values in healthy donors for lupus anticoagulant detection protocol 147

normal mean 2 SD. The mean was used as constant An Excel 2010 matrix was constructed for recording
denominator in the calculation of ratios. and calculating the results of the mean, standard
3.1 dRVVTs deviation, normal range 2 SD and cut-off values.
3.1.1 For each healthy donor, the result in seconds The cut-off values were obtained from the 99th
was obtained and then this was divided by the percentile (99% Confidence Interval) for screening,
average of dRVVTs of all donors. study of mixtures, and confirmatory tests, follow-
3.2 dRVVTc ing the SSC recommendations for LA detection
3.2.1 For each healthy donor, the result in seconds protocol.
was obtained and then this was divided by the
average of dRVVTc of all donors. RESULTS
3.3 Normalized dRVVT ratio: DRVVTs ratio was di-
vided by dRVVTc ratio. Voluntarily, 46 adults signed up; six of them were ex-
3.4 Other calculations: Rosner Index (RI) or Index of cluded (medication use, family history of thrombosis,
Circulating Anticoagulant (ICA) and the percentage autoimmune diseases and fetal losses). Four healthy
of correction were calculated from the following volunteers had altered results on tests, which did not
formulas: allow their participation in the study.
In total, 36 healthy adults participated: 8 (22.2%)
male and 28 (77.7%) female, with average ages of 30.3
ACI or RI = [CT (aPTT) of mix 1:1 - CT (aPTT) NPP/CT
and 32.8 years, respectively.
(aPTT) patient]* 100
Platelet count, aPTT, dRVVTs, dRVVTc, and factor
Percentage of correction: (dRVVt screen dRVVt confirm/
VIII tests were performed in NPP, with results of: 7,000
dRVVT screen)* 100
platelets/uL, 30.6 seconds, 31.8 seconds, 28.5 seconds
CT = coagulation time. and 85% activity, respectively.
The cut-off values obtained from the 99th percentile
to the screen and confirmatory tests of LA detection
4. Interpretation: The final result was expressed as nor- protocol are described in table I.
malized dRVVT ratio. The percentage of correction for The cut-off values suggested by the trading house and
dRVVT was applied, which was previously suggested some references were compared with those obtained in
for Kaolin clotting time.9 This percentage takes into the LME, which are described in table II.
account the degree of relative correction on normal The results of screening and confirmatory tests for
initial values. This calculation method is recommended LA obtained directly from the NPP and obtained as a
by the British Society for Haematology (BCSH) and the statistical average of the healthy donors included in the
SSC LA Guidelines.5,10 study are described in table III.

Table I. Cut-off values for screen and confirmatory test for lupus anticoagulant.

aPTT % correc-
mix1:1 dRVVt dRVVt s dRVVt dRVVt c Final CAI tion /confir-
Parameters Age aPTT seg seg s seg ratio c seg ratio ratio % matory test

Mean 32.3 29.1 30.0 32.2 1.00 28.8 1.00 1.00 -0.3 10.0

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SD 8.4 2.5 1.8 3.0 0.09 1.5 0.05 0.09 6.0 7.5
Min 23.8 24.4 26.5 26.1 0.80 25.9 0.80 0.82
Max 40.6 34.2 33.5 38.8 1.20 31.9 1.10 1.18
2 SD 8.4 24.4 - 34.2 26.5 - 33.5 26.1- 38.8 0.80 - 1.20 25.9 - 31.9 0.80 - 1.10 0.80 - 1.20 12.0 27.0
Range
99th 48.7 34.3 34.0 38.4 1.19 32.1 1.11 1.24 12.2 27.6
Percentile

ICA= Index of Circulating Anticoagulant.

Rev Latinoam Patol Clin Med Lab 2014; 61 (3): 145-149 www.medigraphic.com/patologiaclinica
148 Saldarriaga-Saldarriaga M et al. Determination of cut-off values in healthy donors for lupus anticoagulant detection protocol

Table II. Diferences between manufacturer Cut-off values and Laboratorio Mdico Echavarra.

Este documento
Reference es elaborado
values por Medigraphic
% correction/confi rmatory test ICA dRVVt s ratio dRVVt c ratio Final ratio

Ref. 1 ND >15.0 ND ND ND
Manufacturer ND ND 1.20 1.20 1.20
Ref. 2 >10.0 ND 1.10 1.10 1.10
LME 27.6 12.2 1.19 1.11 1.24

ND = No data; Ref. 1:8; Trading House:3; Ref. 2:10; ICA = Index of Circulating Anticoagulant.

of four diagnostic centers with three different kits;12 in

Table III. Diference in the 99 percentil (cut-off) the case of the final ratio, LME mean was equal to that
using directly value of NPP or statistic average. reported by headquarters.
The cut-off value obtained for the ACI index and the
Statistic Bias Bias correction rate was 12.2 and 27.6%, respectively, while
Parameter NPP average (Un) (%) the cut-off reported in the literature is 15% and 10% for
both tests.12 Previous studies have shown that perfor-
Screen seg 31.8 32.23 0.43 1.35 mance is influenced by the analyzer used,5 which shows
Screen ratio 1.21 1.19 -0.02 -1.65 the need for each institution to calculate its own normal
Confirm seg 28.5 28.83 0.33 1.16 reference ranges.
Confirm ratio 1.12 1.11 -0.01 -0.89 The calculation of ratios depends on the value of
Final ratio 1.24 1.24 0.00 0.00 normality used as the denominator in the formula; the
difference was observed in the ratios obtained from the
NPP and the statistical average obtained from 36 healthy
donors.
DISCUSSION Detection rates of false positive and false negative
LA test remain relatively high, being the first of particular
According to the guidelines of the International Society of interest due to the prescription of long and unnecessary
Thrombosis and Hemostasia,4,11 we recommend using at oral anticoagulation therapy.4
least 40 healthy donors younger than 50 years old to de- Finally, our interest is to facilitate the understanding of
termine the cut-off values. In our study, after applying the the protocol to fix the cut-off local values of this test, in
exclusion criteria in line with the C28 A 2 CLSI document, order to avoid incurring in false-positive interpretations.
considering the biological and environmental factors that
could affect the results of this test, a total population of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
36 healthy donors were evaluated, with a mean age of
32 years in the female population and 30 in the male The Werfen Group - Instrumentation Laboratory and
population; agreed to the inclusion of young adults to Laboratorio Mdico Echavarra especially thank all
reference values of the same guideline cited above. healthy donors who voluntarily participated in the study,
The results of analytical determinations performed on likewise the company Rochem Biocare Colombia SAS,
all donors were in line with the parameters described by and Bacteriologist Lorna Manotas Bedoya for the support
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the SSC and the recommendations of the manufacturer
to test LA; nonetheless, only coagulometric Factor VIII
and commitment in the preanalytical phase for this study.

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