Test for lupus anticoagulant

A test kit containing an agent for conducting clotting tests sensitive to Lupus Anticoagulant, the clotting test agent comprising:

• a phospholipid-dependent prothrombin activator isolated and purified from the venom of snakes belonging to the Elapidae family, said activator having:
• i) an increased plasma clotting activity in the presence of phospholipids and calcium ions which activity is reduced in the presence of Lupus Anticoagulant;
• ii) the ability to cause clotting in a normal clotting time in the presence of platelet poor plasma having levels of factor V, VII, VIII, IX, or X that are at normal levels;
• iii) the ability to cause clotting in a normal clotting time in the presence of platelet poor plasma having levels of factor V, VII, VII, IX, or X that are below normal levels;
• and
• iv) showing one major band at a mobility corresponding to a molecular weight of 40,000 to 60,000 Daltons on an SDS-PAGE.