Lupus anticoagulant in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
E. J. Bloom, D. I. Abrams and G. Rodgers
Prolongation of partial thromboplastin time was noted in patients with
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were admitted to the hospital
for diagnosis of opportunistic infection. As biopsy procedures were often
indicated, detailed investigation of the abnormal coagulation study was
performed in four patients. Results confirmed the presence of a lupus
anticoagulant. Partial thromboplastin times of 34 consecutive subsequent
patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of AIDS-associated opportunistic
infection were recorded; prolongation was noted in 24 of these. None of
these 38 patients exhibited clinical evidence of bleeding. One patient had
a confirmed thrombotic episode. Prolonged partial thromboplastin time is a
common finding in hospitalized patients with AIDS and opportunistic
infection. If no clinical history of unusual bleeding is noted, the lupus
anticoagulant should be suspected. Many patients with AIDS require invasive
procedures for disease management; the lupus anticoagulant, an in vitro
phenomenon, should not prevent these studies.
