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Pseudothrombocytopenia due to agglutinins
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|December 1, 1979
Summary
Pseudothrombocytopenia, a false low platelet count, can be caused by in vitro blood agglutination. A serum factor, often an IgM immunoglobulin, was identified as the cause in six patients, independent of their clinical conditions.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pseudothrombocytopenia is a laboratory finding of low platelet counts.
- In vitro platelet agglutination is a known cause of pseudothrombocytopenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of pseudothrombocytopenia in six patients.
- To characterize the serum factor responsible for in vitro platelet agglutination.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from six patients with pseudothrombocytopenia were analyzed.
- Serum factors were isolated and tested for agglutination activity.
- Immunoglobulin characterization was performed using various assays.
Main Results:
- In vitro platelet agglutination was observed in all six patients.
- A serum factor dependent on EDTA and room temperature was identified.
- An IgM immunoglobulin was identified as the causative factor in four cases, with evidence suggesting IgM in the other two.
- All patients exhibited elevated serum IgM levels despite unrelated clinical disorders.
Conclusions:
- A serum factor, frequently an IgM immunoglobulin, can cause pseudothrombocytopenia through in vitro agglutination.
- Elevated serum IgM levels may be associated with this phenomenon, irrespective of clinical diagnosis.