Browsing by Author "Opie, J. J."

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    Guidelines for lupus anticoagulant testing in South Africa
    (The Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists of South Africa, 2020) Bailly, J.; Louw, S.; De Koker, A.; Potgieter, J. J. C.; Coetzee, M. J.; Chapanduka, Z. C.; Opie, J. J.
    ENGLISH 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.