Seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease consisting of clinical symptoms such as arterial and venous thromboses, recurrent spontaneous abortions, and the occasional occurrence of thrombocytopenia. Antiphospholipid antibodies are present in APS, accompanying the clinical presentation of this disease. We also present the analysis of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS; also called Asherson's syndrome), which is characterized by acute and multiorgan involvement as a consequence of arterial and venous thromboses. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies helps the nosographic demarcation of this serious syndrome. As in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, seronegativity also occurs in APS and CAPS. The cause of seronegativity is explained in this chapter. The disease can have a severe course in seronegative APS and CAPS, as discussed here.