ABSTRACT
Phospholipid-binding antibodies detected by Standard Tests for Syphilis were probably the first clearly identified autoantibodies in systemic lupus. In the 20 year period following recognition of the association between the biologic false-positive test for syphilis and systemic lupus, much attention was devoted to these autoantibodies, but interest waned in the 1970s at a time when there were remarkable advances being made in the field of immunology. Besides their role in promoting the binding of syphilis antibodies to cardiolipin, auxiliary lipids may be important in the induction of the antibody response to acidic phospholipids. It appears relatively certain that there exists a group of patients who produce phospho-lipid-binding antibodies at high levels over prolonged periods of time. The stimulus for production of these antibodies is unknown. The so called “lupus anticoagulant test” is a functional assay. It is based on the ability of a specific group of antibodies to prolong phospholipid dependent in vitro clotting tests.
