Abstract: This invention provides for a convenient, economical, and sensitive test for assessing the risk of a person suffering from a thrombotic stroke. More specifically, it has been determined that persons at risk for cerebrovascular thrombosis have an elevated deposition of C4d on their platelets.

Abstract: A method for identifying or monitoring SLE in an individual is provided. The method includes quantitating complement component C4d on the surfaces of platelets and comparing the amounts of C4d to reference levels of C4d on platelets of individuals without SLE and/or on platelets of the individual obtained at a different time. Kits for use in the above-described methods are provided along with computer readable media tangibly embodying executable instructions to perform the methods.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods of diagnosing inflammatory diseases or conditions by determining levels of components of the complement pathway on the surface of white blood cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and/or monitoring of patients with inflammatory diseases or conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly for diagnosis of the acute stage of the disease, including methods and kits for carrying out this activity. This disclosure presents the surprising discovery that levels of complement pathway components on reticulocytes can be used to diagnose, monitor, or predict the occurrence of acute episodes of chronic inflammatory diseases or conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and/or monitoring of patients with inflammatory diseases or conditions, e.g., immunologic, hematologic, vascular, or infectious diseases or conditions, by determining levels of complement pathway components on erythrocytes. Methods of diagnosing vascular diseases or conditions by determining levels of complement pathway components on platelets are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or scleroderma by determining, in a blood sample from the individual being diagnosed or monitored, complement component C4d deposited on surfaces of red blood cells in the sample, and optionally also determining complement receptor CR1 deposited on the red blood cell surfaces. For diagnosis this is compared with the quantity of C4d (and optionally CR1) present on red blood cells of normal individuals. For monitoring it is compared with a value in a sample or samples previously obtained from the individual patient.The comparison may be made with individual values for C4d and CR1 and/or with a ratio of the two found in normal individuals.

Abstract: Structural mutations in the fifth domain of apolipoprotein H have been identified which affect phospholipid binding and which predict protection from systemic lupus erythematosis which can be used in genetic analysis.