Guidelines

Guidelines for lupus anticoagulant testing in South Africa

J. Bailly, S. Louw, A. de Koker, J.J.C. Potgieter, M.J. Coetzee, Z.C. Chapanduka, J.J. Opie
The Journal of Medical Laboratory Science & Technology of South Africa | Vol 2, No 1 | a96 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.36303/JMLSTSA.2020.2.1.39 | © 2020 J. Bailly, S. Louw, A. de Koker, J.J.C. Potgieter, M.J. Coetzee, Z.C. Chapanduka, J.J. Opie | This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 15 January 2026 | Published: 30 June 2020

About the author(s)

J. Bailly, Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
S. Louw, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, South Africa
A. de Koker, Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
J.J.C. Potgieter, Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria and National Health Laboratory Service, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, South Africa
M.J. Coetzee, Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State and National Health Laboratory Service, Universitas Academic Laboratories, South Africa
Z.C. Chapanduka, Division of Haematological Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa
J.J. Opie, Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa

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Abstract

The lupus anticoagulant (LA) refers to the prolongation of certain coagulation tests due to the action of heterogenous autoantibodies. However, the LA is a misnomer since it is associated with thrombosis in vivo, and most commonly is detected as an incidental, transient laboratory finding associated with conditions such as autoimmune diseases, infections and even in healthy individuals. Repeatedly positive LA testing in the setting of thrombotic and/or obstetric complications is required to diagnose the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This review intends to provide clarity on LA testing in the South African context and to provide a national guideline in order to standardise LA testing, interpretation and reporting of results.

Keywords

lupus anticoagulant; antiphospholipid syndrome; laboratory testing; mixing studies

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