Anti-Cardiolipin Antibodies (A-CL)

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Anti-Cardiolipin Antibodies (A-CL)

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies, also referred to as A-CL, are a type of antibody that is produced by the immune system when it mistakenly identifies cardiolipin—a protein that is abundant in red blood cells—as a pathogen. A-CL can be detected through a specialized blood test, which measures the concentration of these antibodies in the blood. While we offer A-CL tests, it is important to understand the broader implications of blood testing in our article on "Understanding blood tests".

When A-CL are detected, they may be attributed to a number of different conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and certain infections. Treatment options for individuals who have high levels of A-CL are generally geared towards reducing these antibodies and addressing the underlying condition that is causing their production.