Antiphospholipid antibodies are a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies with clinical importance because of their strong association with thrombotic events. Recent evidence have shown that antiphospholipid antibodies are not directed against phospholipids, as has previously been thought, but are a part of a large family of autoantibodies against phospholipid-binding plasma proteins. So far, one of the most common and best characterized antigenic target is beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI), which plays an important role in the binding of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCLA) to cardiolipin. The detection of anti-beta 2-GPI antibodies by using a simple and rapid ELISA may facilitate the recognition of alpha "pathogenic" alpha aCL in antiphospholipid syndrome.