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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
Fragmentation of Red Blood Cells Caused Pseudothrombocytosis in a Patient
Background:
Pseudothrombocytopenia, caused by platelet (PLT) clumping, is often found in clinical studies [1]. However, pseudothrombocytosis resulting from the fragmentation of red blood cells (RBCs) is a very rare phenomenon.
Methods:
EDTA-K2 anticoagulation was used on a sample of venous blood extracted from the patient. A Symex XN9000 automatic blood analyzer was used to conduct CBC + DIFF mode and CBC + DIFF + RET mode tests, stained smear microscopy.
Results:
The Symex XN9000 automatic blood analyzer was used to conduct CBC + DIFF mode test; PLTs were measured at 570 x 109/L. Stained smear microscopy revealed the number of PLTs did not conform to the instrument measured 570 x 109/L. "RET" alarm instrument, switch to CBC + DIFF + RET mode for testing. The second test result showed PLTs at 128 x 109/L, which accords with artificial microscopy.
Conclusions:
This was a case of a very rare phenomenon: the fragmentation of RBCs caused pseudothrombocytosis.
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