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Spuriously elevated platelet counts due to microspherocytosis
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 1, 1982
Abstract:
A patient with an acute burn was noticed to have spuriously elevated platelet counts on an automated system. The major factor accounting for this discrepancy was the presence of numerous microspherocytes which were in the same size range of platelets. It is thus important to add microspherocytosis as an additional cause for a spuriously elevated platelet count. This has special clinical importance when dealing with an acute burn patient.
Insights
Microspherocytes, small red blood cells, can cause falsely high platelet counts in automated systems. This finding is crucial for accurate diagnosis in acute burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Medical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Automated hematology analyzers are widely used for complete blood counts.
- Accurate platelet counting is essential for patient diagnosis and management.
- Acute burn injuries can present complex physiological changes affecting laboratory results.
Observation:
- A patient with an acute burn injury exhibited unexpectedly high platelet counts via an automated analyzer.
- Microscopic examination revealed the presence of numerous microspherocytes.
- These microspherocytes were similar in size to platelets, leading to potential misidentification.
Findings:
- The spuriously elevated platelet count was attributed to the presence of microspherocytes.
- Microspherocytes, characterized by their small size and dense appearance, were mistaken for platelets by the automated system.
- This highlights a specific interference issue in automated platelet counting.
Implications:
- Microspherocytosis should be considered as a potential cause of falsely elevated platelet counts.
- This is particularly important in the clinical context of acute burn patients, where such discrepancies can impact treatment decisions.
- Clinicians and laboratory professionals must be aware of this phenomenon to ensure accurate patient assessment and avoid misdiagnosis.