Cardiolipin Antibodies –IgM

IgM anticardiolipin antibodies can be seen during inflammatory responses, common to ill or hospitalized patients, and are of unknown significance. However, the contribution to thrombosis cannot be unequivocally ruled out in a patient with an IgM antiphospholipid antibody, especially at very high titer.

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Moderate to high levels of cardiolipin antibodies that persist when tested again 12 weeks later indicate the likely continued presence of that specific antibody, which may be associated with an increased risk of excessive clotting or recurrent miscarriages.

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In some patients, these antibodies may be transient and disappear within 2 or 3 months. In other susceptible individuals, they may persist and raise the question of whether infections may trigger the development of aPL antibodies in autoimmune diseases.