The development of antiphospholipid antibodies in haemophilia is linked to infection with hepatitis C

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Abstract
In haemophilia the presence of antibodies to antiphospholipid has been linked with HIV infection, but other possibilities have not been fully explored and the specificity for various phospholipids not established. In order to investigate further the pathogenesis and clinical significance of these antibodies, we have determined IgG and IgM antibodies to a variety of phospholipids, including cardiolipin, in the serum of 52 haemophiliacs, and related our findings to the presence of antibodies to HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as to clotting factor concentrate usage and blood markers of liver biochemistry. Our results demonstrate that the presence of infection with hepatitis C virus is strongly associated with raised serum levels of antiphospholipid antibody even in the absence of HIV infection. They suggest that earlier conclusions on the relationships of antiphospholipid to HIV infection in haemophilia should be revised and that chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus should be added to the list of infective causes for the development of antiphospholipid antibody.