Summary
A qualitative abnormality of antithrombin III (AT III) was found in the plasma of
a 41-year old patient. The plasmatic AT III antigen concentration was 130% and the
progressive anti-F IIa and anti-F Xa activities were normal (105% and 137%). The plasma
heparin cofactor activity was less than 10%, when measured by F Ila or F Xa inhibition.
Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of AT III in the presence of heparin revealed in the
plasma an abnormal slow-moving peak. When tested by affinity chromatography on heparin
Sepharose, this abnormal AT III did not bind to heparin. Among the investigated relatives,
5 subjects had normal AT III levels, whatever the test used, the nine others having
reduced levels of antithrombin heparin cofactor activity (45-61%) but normal levels
of immunoreactive AT III (97-122%). Consanguinity was found in the family history.
We therefore considered our patient as homozygous for an AT III molecular abnormality
affecting the binding site for heparin.
Key words
Antithrombin III - Homozygosity - Heparin cofactor Summary