Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative platelet defects using flow cytometry

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of platelet defects and inappropriate platelet activation is associated with some difficulties. Flowcytometry has been reported to be ideally suited for studying several clinical aspects of platelet pathophysiology and platelet function. In this study, the methodology and clinical utility of reticulated platelet analysis, platelet associated immunoglobulin and platelet expression of P-selectin [CD62] and glycoprotein IIbIIIa [CD41] in some platelet disorders were explored. The study included a total of 72 cases classified into 35 cases of ITP, ten cases of ITP in remission, seven cases of Glanzmanns thrombasthenia, six cases with aplastic anemia and 14 age matched controls. Data showed that flowcytometric analysis can be used as a reliable measure of important diagnostic aspects of qualitative and quantitative platelet disorders and it can be used to assess circulating activated platelets