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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
[Markedly increased red cell fragmentations counted as platelets in a patient with thrombotic microangiopathy]
Hideo Wada1, Miho Sakakura, Atsusi Fujieda
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu 514-8507.
Abstract:
A patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) experienced severe thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) after allo-bone marrow transplantation (BMT). She had high risk for TMA; due to total body irradiation (TBI), intensive chemotherapy, treatment with Ciclosporin and association with veno-occlusive disease (VOD). Markedly increased fragmentations of red blood cells were observed in this case, and were incorrectly counted as platelets by a fully automated blood cells counter. Careful evaluation of the platelet count is necessary in patients with red cell fragmentations.
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