ABSTRACT
Immature or reticulated platelets are known as a clinical marker of thrombopoiesis. Recently, an automatic method was established to detect reticulated platelets as immature platelet fraction (IPF) by means of hematology analyzer XE-2100. We assessed the effects of IPF detection after chemotherapy for various pediatric malignant disorders of 16 patients. Our results indicate that IPF should be considered a useful marker of imminent platelet recovery so that unnecessary platelet transfusion can be avoided.
Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/cytology , Platelet Transfusion/methods , Adolescent , Automation , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Child , Child, Preschool , Equipment Design , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Platelet Count , Reference Values , Stem Cell Transplantation , Thrombopoiesis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is a phenomenon caused by EDTA-dependent anti-platelet antibody. This antibody induces platelet agglutination in vitro, resulting in a decrease in platelet counts. It is necessary for clinicians to consider the possible presence of PTCP in cases of patients having low platelet counts without any hemorrhagic tendency. In this article, we describe some aspects of EDTA-PTCP including, (1) characteristics of platelet agglutination, (2)possible mechanisms for antibody production, (3) several methods to determine the true platelet number, and also (4) a few similar phenomena induced by antibodies independent of EDTA.
