Factor V antigen levels in APC resistance, in factor V deficiency and in combined APC resistance and factor V deficiency (pseudohomozygosis for APC resistance)

Factor V antigen levels were measured in 40 patients with factor V deficiency (11 homozygous and 29 heterozygous), in 38 patients with factor V Leiden mutation (16 homozygous and 22 heterozygous) and in three patients with combined heterozygous factor V deficiency and heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation (so-called pseudohomozygosis for APC resistance). Twenty normal subjects of both sexes served as controls. Factor V antigen levels compared well with factor V activity in normal subjects and in all groups of patients. They were normal both in homozygous and heterozygous APC resistance patients. Factor V antigen determination may be useful for the diagnosis of pseudohomozygosis for APC resistance. These patients have a phenotypic picture similar to homozygous APC resistance, but show a factor V antigen level about half the normal value since they are compound heterozygotes for factor V deficiency and APC resistance. In contrast, homozygous patients for APC resistance show normal factor V activity and antigen levels.