[An adult patient with EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia due to rubella virus infection]

We experienced an adult patient with EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia due to rubella virus infection. A 23-year-old male complaining of eruption and fever was admitted to our hospital on June 21, 1992. Laboratory findings on admission showed the platelet count 1.5 x 10(4)/microliters with EDTA, but 11.5 x 10(4)/microliters with heparin. Platelet agglutination was absorbed in the peripheral blood smear samples with EDTA. The hemagglutination inhibition titer for rubella virus raised from 1:32 to 1:52 in paired sera. We diagnosed this patient as having EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia and mild true thrombocytopenia due to rubella virus infection.