Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
Published on: December 27, 2017
Platelet refractoriness to classical agonists in a child with essential thrombocythemia
Jose Carlos Jaime-Perez1, David Gomez-Almaguer
1Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico. carjaime@hotmail.com
Background:
Essential thrombocythemia is a rare disease during childhood. Platelet morphological abnormalities are frequent and defects in platelet function tests, mainly hypoaggregation, occur.
Materials And Methods:
An incidental diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia was established in a 9-year-old boy with a platelet count of 2050 x 10(9)/l. His platelets were studied for aggregation defects with four classical agonists employing optical aggregometry.
Results:
Aggregation ranged from 5% for adrenaline, 8% for collagen, 12% for ristocetin, to 25% with adenosine diphosphate, followed by complete disaggregation.
Conclusion:
Platelet refractoriness to classical agonists, probably compounded by platelet GPIb deficiency, was documented. The differential diagnosis is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...

