Related Experiment Videos
[Reticulated platelet and its clinical significance]
1Clinical Hematology and Clinical Diagnostics (Clinical and Laboratory Medicine), Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585.
Abstract:
Reticulated platelets (RP) retain some residual mRNA in their cytoplasm and are thought to be the most recently produced platelets in circulation. They can be visualized on a blood film with new methylene blue staining. RP is a flow cytometric assay utilizing a fluorescent dye, either thiazole orange or auramine O. There is a difference in reference values for RP between thiazole orange and auramine O. From the analytic results of RP in patients with thrombocytopenic disorders, RP measurement is considered useful for estimating thrombopoiesis in bone marrow and for differential diagnosis and elucidating the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenic disorders. In the future, test for RP might have a possibility of routine examination because RP can be rapidly and simply measured using whole blood stained with auramine O using an automated reticulocyte counter modified to determine RP. Furthermore, it is anticipated that standardization and morphological definition for RP are established and accuracy for RP is improved.
Insights
Reticulated platelets (RP), the youngest circulating platelets, can be measured via flow cytometry. This assay aids in diagnosing and understanding thrombocytopenic disorders by assessing bone marrow thrombopoiesis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Flow Cytometry
Context:
- Reticulated platelets (RP) are the most recently produced platelets.
- They contain residual mRNA and can be visualized with specific stains.
- Current methods include new methylene blue staining and flow cytometry using fluorescent dyes like thiazole orange or auramine O.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of reticulated platelet measurement in thrombocytopenic disorders.
- To explore RP as a diagnostic tool for bone marrow thrombopoiesis.
- To investigate the potential for routine RP testing in clinical practice.
Summary:
- Reticulated platelets (RP) are immature platelets identifiable by their mRNA content.
- Flow cytometry assays using thiazole orange or auramine O can quantify RP, though reference values differ.
- RP measurements are valuable for assessing thrombopoiesis, differential diagnosis, and understanding the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenic disorders.
Impact:
- RP measurement offers insights into bone marrow thrombopoiesis and aids in diagnosing thrombocytopenic disorders.
- Future standardization and improved accuracy could establish RP testing as a routine examination.
- Rapid, automated RP measurement using auramine O and modified counters shows promise for widespread clinical use.