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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Analyzing Platelet Subpopulations by Multi-color Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 10, 2025
Diagnosing platelet delta-storage pool disease in children by flow cytometry
Elisabeth Maurer-Spurej1, Cheryl Pittendreigh, John K Wu
1Canadian Blood Services, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Insights
Diagnosing platelet storage pool diseases (SPDs) in children is now faster and easier. A new flow cytometry assay for platelet serotonin offers a quick and accurate method for early detection of these bleeding disorders.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Diagnostics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelet storage pool diseases (SPDs) cause bleeding problems.
- Early diagnosis of delta-SPD is crucial for treatment.
- Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome is an example of delta-SPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a flow cytometric assay for measuring platelet serotonin in children.
- To assess the assay's utility in diagnosing delta-SPD in a pediatric patient.
- To compare the flow cytometric assay with traditional diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet serotonin levels.
- The assay was tested on a 10-year-old girl with suspected delta-SPD.
- Results were compared to healthy children and adults.
- Traditional tests included transmission electron microscopy and lumi-aggregometry.
Main Results:
- The patient exhibited significantly lower platelet serotonin levels compared to healthy controls.
- Flow cytometry results were consistent with traditional diagnostic tests.
- The assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for delta-SPD detection.
Conclusions:
- The flow cytometric serotonin assay is a valuable tool for diagnosing delta-SPD in children.
- This assay offers advantages over traditional methods, including small sample volume and rapid results.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric SPDs can be improved with this innovative assay.
Abstract:
Bleeding problems are symptomatic of platelet delta-storage pool diseases (SPDs) such as Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Although at present no cure is available for delta-SPD, early diagnosis is of great importance for prophylactic and supportive treatment. This study tested the usefulness of a flow cytometric assay for platelet serotonin in children. The assay was used to diagnose delta-SPD in a 10-year-old girl. Platelet serotonin levels were significantly lower in the patient than in all healthy control subjects (10 children and 10 adults). The serotonin results were supported by traditional tests, which are transmission electron microscopy of whole mounts and adenosine triphosphate release by lumi-aggregometry. The flow cytometric serotonin assay is a major improvement to current pediatric diagnostics. The advantages of this test are small sample volume of fresh or fixed/frozen platelets, availability of objective results within 2 hours of obtaining the blood sample, and automated analysis by flow cytometry.
