Concomitant factor VIII inhibitor and lupus anticoagulant in an asymptomatic patient

Abstract

Acquired hemophilia A, caused by autoantibodies that bind to and neutralize the activity of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), almost universally presents as a severe bleeding diathesis. Lupus anticoagulants (LAs), autoantibodies directed against phospholipids or protein-phospholipid complexes, manifest clinically with an increased risk of thrombosis. While these autoantibodies are uncommon, the distinctive clinical presentation in conjunction with the typical laboratory findings often enable straightforward identification of the underlying autoantibody. However, the presence of a concomitant acquired FVIII inhibitor and LA is exceedingly rare with fewer than 20 documented cases. All prior patients presented with life-threatening hemorrhage, thrombosis, or both, prompting comprehensive hematologic evaluation and subsequent identification of the pathologic antibodies. We describe a novel case of a patient with no signs of hemorrhage or thrombosis who was incidentally found to have both a FVIII inhibitor and LA during evaluation of a prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT). This finding resulted in FVIII inhibitor-directed management, including immunosuppressive therapy. The unique presentation of an incidental FVIII inhibitor and LA in an asymptomatic patient without thrombotic or bleeding complications highlights the potential challenge in elucidating the etiology of a prolonged PTT, as LAs and FVIII inhibitors both prolong the PTT, and each entity can interfere with assays designed to detect the presence of the other autoantibody. This case underscores the importance of recognizing that patients with major underlying disturbances in their hematologic physiology, but in whom clinical symptoms have yet to manifest, may potentially be overlooked until such symptoms are evident.

Highlights

• Concomitant idiopathic coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors and lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are rare, with fewer than 20 cases described.

• We describe the first case of an asymptomatic patient incidentally found to have both a FVIII inhibitor and LA.

• Specialized coagulation testing and interpretation are required to identify concurrent FVIII inhibitors and LAs, as these autoantibodies interfere with the typical methods used to identify the other.

• Severe coagulation abnormalities may first present with abnormal coagulation studies without apparent clinical manifestations.

• Patients with abnormal coagulation parameters should be evaluated even in the absence of symptoms.

Background

Disorders characterized by hemorrhagic or thrombotic phenotypes infrequently arise secondary to idiopathic autoantibody development. Acquired hemophilia A is a rare bleeding disorder caused by autoantibodies that bind to and neutralize the activity of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Individuals with FVIII inhibitors almost universally present with a bleeding diathesis, frequently to an extent that is life-threatening [1]. In contrast to the hemorrhagic features of FVIII inhibitors, lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are autoantibodies directed against phospholipids or protein-phospholipid complexes, which manifest clinically with an increased risk of thrombosis or fetal loss [2].

While these autoantibodies are uncommon, the distinct clinical presentation in conjunction with the typical laboratory findings often enable straightforward identification of the underlying autoantibody. However, the presence of a concomitant acquired FVIII inhibitor and LA is exceedingly rare with fewer than 20 documented cases (Table 1). Although the true prevalence of concurrent FVIII inhibitors and lupus anticoagulants is unknown, to date all previously described patients presented with life-threatening hemorrhage (11/16 patients), thrombosis (2/16 patients), or both (3/16 patients), prompting comprehensive hematologic evaluation and subsequent identification of the pathologic antibodies. We were unable to identify any prior report of incidental discovery of the co-occurrence of these autoantibodies. Herein, we describe the novel case of a patient with no signs or symptoms of hemorrhage or thrombosis who was incidentally found to have both a FVIII inhibitor and LA during evaluation of a prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT).

Table 1.

Cases of probable concomitant acquired hemophilia A and lupus anticoagulant reported in the literature, including the current patient.

Modified from Ames et al. [3]

Case #	Authors (Year)	Age (years) & sex (M/F)	Clinical presentation	Management
1	Ballard and Nyamuswa. (1993) [4]	70 M	Hemorrhage	FEIBA, cryoprecipitate, cyclophosphamide, steroids
2	Biron et al. (1996) [5]	92 F	Hemorrhage	Porcine factor VIII concentrate, steroids
3	Grossmann et al. (1996) [6]	63 F	Hemorrhage	Porcine factor VIII, cyclophosphamide, immunoadsorption
4	Ghirarduzzi et al. (1999) [7]	62 F	Thrombosis	None (deceased)
5	Saxena et al. (2000) [8]	38 F	Thrombosis and hemorrhage	CVP pulse (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone) followed by cyclophosphamide
6	Saxena et al. (2000) [8]	68 M	Hemorrhage	Steroids and cyclophosphamide
7	Saxena et al. (2000) [8]	60 F	Hemorrhage	Steroids and cyclophosphamide
8	Liozon et al. (2001) [9]	64 F	Thrombosis	Steroids and cyclophosphamide
9	Brings et al. (2002) [10]	64 F	Thrombosis and hemorrhage	rFVIII, FEIBA, steroids and cyclophosphamide
10	Wullen et al. (2002) [11]	30 F	Hemorrhage	Steroids, IVIG
11	Taher et al. (2003) [12]	30 M	Hemorrhage	rFVIIa, steroids
12	Dreisbach et al. (2010) [13]	59 M	Hemorrhage	Steroids
13	Spencer et al. (2011) [14]	37 F	Thrombosis and hemorrhage	rFVIIa, steroids and cyclophosphamide
14	Seethala et al. (2013) [15]	60 F	Hemorrhage	FEIBA, FFP, steroids, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab
15	Gupta et al. (2014) [16]	69 F	Hemorrhage	Steroids, rFVIIa, azathioprine, IVIG, rituximab
16	Belfeki et al. (2021) [17]	77 M	Hemorrhage	rFVIIa, steroids, cyclophosphamide
17	Current patient	50 F	Incidental (asymptomatic)	Prednisone, cyclophosphamide

M male, F female, FEIBA factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity, rFVIII recombinant factor VIII, IVIG intravenous immunoglobulin G, rFVIIa recombinant activated factor VII, FFP fresh frozen plasma

Case presentation

A 50-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a prolonged PTT. She endorsed a history of cerebellar hemorrhage 10 years prior which was attributed to hypertensive emergency after she presented with a three-day history of severe headache and systolic blood pressures in the 300’s. She underwent craniotomy for hematoma evacuation and blood pressure optimization, with resolution of her neurological symptoms. She denied any interim medical issues, including recurrent hemorrhage or thrombosis. At the time of cerebellar hemorrhage, the patient’s coagulation studies were normal, including PTT (24.8 s; reference: 23.2–31.6 s) and prothrombin time (PT) (10.3 s; reference: 10.1–12.7 s).

During evaluation at our institution, her PTT was prolonged (52.6 s, reference: 23.9–29.9 s), while her PT (10.4 s, reference: 9.6–12.3 s) remained normal. Upon further review, her PTT was prolonged in four studies over the previous eight months with a mean of 60.6 s (SD 7.2 s; CI 53.5–67.6 s, p = 0.05). She denied any history of autoimmune disorders or recent infections, including COVID-19.

A complete metabolic panel and complete blood count were unremarkable. Coagulation studies included a PTT mixing study that did not correct (32.1 s at 0 min, 37.3 s following incubation at 37 °C for 60 min). LA testing demonstrated an abnormal silica clotting time (SCT) (ratio 1.28, reference: < 1.20) and an abnormal dilute Russell viper venom time (dRVVT) (ratio 1.23, reference: < 1.20). Anticardiolipin IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies and anti-β₂-glycoprotein IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies were not elevated. The prolonged PTT, abnormal mixing study, and abnormal SCT and dRVVT were all consistent with the presence of a LA. However, due to the abnormal PTT mixing study with near-correction at 0 min and re-prolongation at 60 min, combined with the weak LA positivity, further testing was performed to assess for an additional coagulation factor deficiency and/or presence of a factor inhibitor.

Subsequent testing revealed markedly decreased FVIII activity (5.2%, reference: 66–143%) and chromogenic FVIII activity (< 11.2%, reference: 50–150%). A FVIII inhibitor was detected and measured at 2.10 Bethesda units. von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, activity, and multimer analysis were normal. Given the findings of a FVIII inhibitor, treatment was initiated with prednisone 1 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg daily for a minimum of 6 weeks to suppress the FVIII inhibitor and mitigate bleeding risk. Table 2 depicts the trend in laboratory values for this patient.

Table 2.

Patient laboratory values and therapy to date

Date	PTT (s)	FVIII activity	Therapy
1/12	69.0	N/A	None
3/10	65.0	N/A	None
7/6	58.0	N/A	None
8/26	50.2	N/A	None
9/17	52.6	5.2%	Prednisone 1 mg/kg/day + cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/day
9/24	35.8	25.8%	Prednisone 1 mg/kg/day + cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/day
10/1	28.2	97.4%	Prednisone 1 mg/kg/day + cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/day

PTT partial thromboplastin time, sec seconds, FVIII coagulation factor VIII

Discussion

This unique presentation of an incidental FVIII inhibitor and LA in an asymptomatic patient without thrombotic or bleeding complications underscores the potential challenge in elucidating the etiology of a prolonged PTT, particularly in patients with multiple inhibitors. Both LAs and FVIII inhibitors prolong the PTT, and each entity can interfere with assays designed to detect the presence of the other autoantibody. A LA can interfere with PTT-based factor activity assays, resulting in a falsely decreased FVIII activity level and an erroneous diagnosis of congenital or acquired hemophilia A [18]. FVIII inhibitors, although less common than LAs, may lead to false positive results for LAs, particularly using the SCT, leading to a misdiagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome [18]. To differentiate between these two groups of autoantibodies, chromogenic FVIII activity testing and the dRVVT are valuable, as neither are affected by the presence of the other autoantibody [18]. Additionally, LAs frequently function as immediate inhibitors with no correction at 0 min in the PTT mixing study, while FVIII autoantibodies typically display time- and temperature-dependent inhibition [18].

This case highlights the need for detailed coagulation function analysis and comprehensive understanding of various assays’ functionalities and their limitations. In practice, the indication for further laboratory testing to identify an inhibitor or factor deficiency is driven by compatible clinical findings, such as the presence of a significant bleeding disorder (e.g., coagulation factor deficiencies or inhibitors) or thrombosis (e.g., antiphospholipid antibodies). However, this patient’s asymptomatic presentation necessitated specialized coagulation testing and result interpretation based on the knowledge and experience that the presence of multiple inhibitors is possible. Oftentimes, patients with laboratory abnormalities, such as a prolonged PT or PTT, are evaluated only if they endorse symptoms. Thus, patients with major underlying disturbances in their hematologic physiology, but in whom clinical symptoms have yet to manifest, may potentially be overlooked until such symptoms are evident.

These laboratory findings have important therapeutic implications for the patient presented here as well. The identification of a prolonged PTT and abnormal mixing study with partial correction, albeit not to the normal range, may lead providers to prematurely conclude that the patient had an isolated LA. Had evaluation concluded with detection of the LA, the patient would not have received appropriate management of a FVIII inhibitor, and at most would have undergone repeat LA testing > 12 weeks later. However, the astute recognition that a weak LA did not entirely explain the partial PTT correction with mixing at 0 min and prolongation at 60 min subsequently resulted in the identification of the FVIII inhibitor. Thus, without appropriate evaluation (Fig. 1), the FVIII inhibitor might have been undetected, possibly resulting in significant morbidity or mortality. Hemorrhage in patients with acquired hemophilia A is exceptionally common (> 90% of patients present with bleeding), and often severe (approximately 70% of patients develop severe hemorrhage) [19]. In addition to the significant risk of hemorrhage associated with FVIII inhibitors, the risk of thrombosis was also significant in our patient with a LA, as evidence demonstrates that patients with LAs have a thrombosis odds ratio 5–16 times greater than persons without LAs [20].

Fig. 1.

Diagnostic algorithm for detection of lupus anticoagulant and factor VIII inhibitor. PTT partial thromboplastin time, LA lupus anticoagulant, SCT silica clotting time, DRVVT dilute Russell viper venom time, FVIII factor VIII, AHA acquired hemophilia A, ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The detection of the FVIII inhibitor enabled the initiation of appropriate therapy. Acquired FVIII inhibitor therapy has two primary goals: to alleviate clinically relevant bleeding and to eliminate the FVIII inhibitor and mitigate the risk of hemorrhage [21]. Treatment options for achieving hemostasis in patients with FVIII inhibitors include recombinant activated factor VII and activated prothrombin complex concentrate [21]. To eliminate the autoantibody, current guidelines for immunosuppressive therapy suggest corticosteroids alone for patients with FVIII ≥ 1% and an inhibitor titer ≤ 20 BU [21]. If no response is seen after 3–4 weeks, cyclophosphamide or rituximab should be added. For patients with FVIII < 1% or inhibitor titer > 20 BU, corticosteroids in combination with cyclophosphamide or rituximab is recommended [21].

Despite an inhibitor titer < 20 BU in our patient, a more intensive regimen was warranted given her history of significant intracranial hemorrhage and overall health status. Thus, prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/day were co-administered for 6 weeks, with weekly monitoring. At the time of this report, she had received 3 weeks of immunosuppressive therapy with normalization of her PTT and FVIII activity level with no bleeding reported.

In summary, this unique case of acquired hemophilia A with a concurrent LA in a patient with a prolonged PTT without bleeding or thrombotic complications illustrates that the absence of clinical symptoms does not exclude the possibility of the co-occurrence of these autoantibodies. It also demonstrates the importance of comprehensive hematologic evaluation of patients with potential coagulation abnormalities, as the symptomatic manifestations may be forthcoming and life-threatening.

Authors contributions

JJ designed the manuscript, analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript. SG designed the manuscript, analyzed and interpreted data, and edited the manuscript. KI designed the manuscript, analyzed and interpreted data, and edited the manuscript. HR provided supervision, analyzed and interpreted data, edited the manuscript, and approved the final version.

Funding

The authors received no funding support for this research.

Data availability

N/A.

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest relevant to the manuscript submitted to the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis.

Code availability

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