Immunobiology
-
A review of 250 patients with the catastrophic antiphospholipid (Asherson's) syndrome (CAPS) taken from the web site organized by the Europhospholipid Group (http://www.med.ub.es/MIMMUN/FORUM/CAPS. HTM) is presented in this paper. A short historical overview of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is followed by a description of the "triggering" factors, associated autoimmune diseases, clinical presentation, presumed pathogenesis, prognosis, mode of death and suggested therapies. ⋯ Treatment may have to be continued for several weeks. Parenteral antibiotics may be indicated where an underlying infection is suspected. Antifungal therapy may also be indicated with prolonged treatment and the use of the monoclonal anti-CD20 molecule, Rituximab, has proven useful in those patients where thrombocytopenia poses a major risk of hemorrhage.