Description
The first study on the anti-phospholipid antibodies began in 1906 when Wasserman introduced a serological test for syphilis. In 1942 it was discovered that the active component is a phospholipid called Cardiolipin. In the 1950's it was observed that a large number of people appeared to be positive for syphilis tests but did not show any evidence of disease. Initially the phenomenon was classified as a series of false positive syphilis tests, before a more accurate analysis revealed, for this group of patients, a high prevalence of autoimmune disorders including SLE and Sjögrens syndrome. The term lupus anticoagulant (LA), used for the first time in 1972, derives from experimental observations in which an increased risk of thrombosis was observed, paradoxically, with the presence of some anticoagulants factors; the term LA is not totally correct, in fact the disease is present more frequently in patients without lupus and it is associated with thrombosis rather than to abnormal bleeding