Detection of normal and malignant megakaryocytes by anti beta-thromboglobulin serum. An immunofluorescence study

An antiserum to beta-thromboglobulin was used in immunofluorescence to detect normal and malignant megakaryocytes. In normal peripheral blood and bone marrow smears, only platelets and megakaryocytes were specifically stained by this antiserum. Among 25 cases of acute lymphoid and non-lymphoid leukaemia, only 2 exhibited a clear positivity in a % of blasts, thus proving their megakaryocytic origin. This method is proposed as a simple and useful tool to detect normal and malignant megakaryocytes on smears.