Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
05:49
Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets
Published on: November 29, 2024
1.2K
Spurious Thrombocytopenia in Automated Platelet Count
Lixia Zhang1, Jian Xu1, Li Gao1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Laboratory Medicine
|January 19, 2018
Summary
Pseudo-thrombocytopenia (PTCP) is often seen with hematology analyzers. This study found PTCP is linked to specific diseases and has seasonal variations, requiring careful clinical attention.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Hematology
- Laboratory Medicine
- Diagnostic Accuracy
Background:
- Spurious thrombocytopenia, or pseudo-thrombocytopenia (PTCP), is a common artifact encountered with automated hematology analyzers (HAs).
- Understanding the prevalence, causes, and clinical implications of PTCP is crucial for accurate patient diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology, identification methods, potential remedies, and platelet (PLT) count characteristics of pseudo-thrombocytopenia.
- To determine the association of PTCP with specific patient conditions and seasonal factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 355 specimens exhibiting pseudo-thrombocytopenia.
- Evaluation of anticoagulant-induced PTCP (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citrate, heparin).
- Assessment of patient data for underlying diseases and seasonal variations.
Main Results:
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-induced PTCP was the most frequent cause (49.1%), followed by citrate/heparin-dependent PTCP (16.0%).
- Nearly half of patients with PTCP had genuine thrombocytopenia, even after artifact correction.
- PTCP showed seasonal variations, with higher PLT counts in spring and lower in winter.
- Increased risk of PTCP was observed in patients with malignant neoplasms, liver diseases, infections, and hematologic disorders.
Conclusions:
- Pseudo-thrombocytopenia is frequently associated with underlying diseases, not merely an analytical artifact.
- Accurate identification and management of PTCP are essential, considering its link to significant patient conditions and seasonal influences.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Structure and Function of Platelets
3.8K
The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
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 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...
3.8K
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
9.6K
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
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...
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...
9.6K
01:25Distribution Reliability and Automation
521
Distribution reliability in electrical power systems is critical for ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to consumers at minimal cost. According to IEEE Standard Terms, reliability is the probability that a device will function without failure over a specified time period or amount of usage. For electric power distribution, this translates to maintaining continuous power supply and addressing customer concerns over power outages. Several indices, as defined by IEEE Standard 1366-2012, are...
521
01:54Molar Mass
87.2K
The identity of a substance is defined not only by the types of atoms or ions it contains but by the quantity of each type of atom or ion. For example, water, H2O, and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, are alike in that their respective molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. However, because a hydrogen peroxide molecule contains two oxygen atoms, as opposed to the water molecule, which has only one, the two substances exhibit very different properties.
87.2K
03:38Structure of Lipids
99.5K
Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic...
99.5K
02:46Uncertainty in Measurement: Reading Instruments
54.2K
Counting is the type of measurement that is free from uncertainty, provided the number of objects being counted does not change during the process. Such measurements result in exact numbers. By counting the eggs in a carton, for instance, one can determine exactly how many eggs are there in the carton. Similarly, the numbers of defined quantities are also exact. For example, 1 foot is exactly 12 inches, 1 inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters, and 1 gram is exactly 0.001 kilograms. Quantities...
54.2K