Can Covid-19 infection cause two types of antibodies in the blood?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have two types of antibodies in my blood. I also suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) after the Covid-19 infection. The two antibodies are DS-DNA 119 (IU/ml) and lupus anticoagulant (DRVVT ratio is 1.47 and SCT ratio 1.29). I have no family background after the above issue. I am now taking the tablet Dabigatran daily. May I know whether these antibodies are caused by Covid-19 infection? Will these antibodies disappear from time to time? Is it about APS? If yes, as a singly antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) positive patient can I take Tablet Dabigatran or Aspirin instead of tablet Warfarin? Is it about SLE and with ANA negative? I have also experienced minor numbness in the left hand sometimes.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. To make a prescription for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), we need either of the antibody-positive anti-La, anticardiolipin, and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies plus any clinical symptoms (as in your case, venous sinus thromboses). So it is mostly APS. Regarding dsDNA, APS patients do develop systemic lupus erythematosus and it is also true another way around. But as of now, there are no symptoms of SLE therefore no treatment is required. These antibodies will disappear. Also, your VST can occur because of a hypercoagulable state because of Covid-19. But treatment for APS and hypercoagulable state due to Covid- 19 will be the same. Regarding tablet Dabigatran, it is better because it does not require monitoring of your international normalized ratio (INR) every 15 days. The effect of tablet Warfarin and Dabigatran is the same. So we generally give the tablet Warfarin to patients who cannot afford tablet Dabigatran. I hope this clears your doubt. Feel free to contact me for further queries.

Thank you.