Platelet satellitism is a phenomenon of unknown etiology of aggregating platelets around polymorphonuclear neutrophils and other blood cells which causes pseudothrombocytopenia, visible by microscopic examination of blood smears. It has been observed so far in about a hundred cases in the world.
What is the most common reason for platelet clumps?
Causes of platelet clumping include platelet activation (due to traumatic venipuncture) and EDTA-dependent antibodies that react with platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. In the latter case, the clumping can be corrected by using blood collection tubes containing an alternative anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate.
What is platelet Satellitosis?
Abstract. Platelet satellitism (PS) is a rare phenomenon described sporadically in the literature. It involves adhesion of thrombocytes sensitized by antibodies to leucocytes and is observed in vitro in EDTA anticoagulated blood.
When is platelet Satellitism present?
Platelet satellitism (PS) is a rare phenomenon observed in blood smears obtained from blood anticoagulated with EDTA. It is characterised by platelet rosetting around polymorphonuclear neutrophils and in rare cases around other blood cells. PS is a rare cause of pseudothrombocytopenia.
What is gray platelet syndrome?
Collapse Section. Gray platelet syndrome is a bleeding disorder associated with abnormal platelets, which are small blood cells involved in blood clotting. People with this condition tend to bruise easily and have an increased risk of nosebleeds (epistaxis).
What is the lifespan of a platelet?
The survival of blood platelets is assumed to be one of the best criteria for their integrity, viability, and physiological activity. Studies thus far have indicated a life span of 3 to 7 days.
What do clumped platelets indicate?
Platelet clumping occurs when the blood platelets responsible for coagulation stick to one another to form clusters. The presence of platelet clumping has no clinical consequences other than preventing instruments from properly counting blood platelets.
Can platelets be wrong?
The platelet count can be biased in a substantial number of cases. Platelet count can be reduced and remain within normal limits or may show false thrombocytopenia or artefactually accentuate true thrombocytopenia.
Does platelet Satellitism affect platelet count?
If a peripheral blood smear is reviewed, platelets will be observed attached to WBCs. The image on the right illustrates platelet satellitism with platelets adhering to a neutrophil. Platelet clumping can also occur in the presence of EDTA and the platelet count again will be falsely decreased.
What is toxic granulation associated with?
Toxic granulation can be associated with infection and inflammation. Increased granulation of neutrophils may also be present in some genetic disorders, following treatment with myeloid growth factors (G-CSF or GM-CSF), in a marrow responding to myelosuppressive therapy, with pregnancy, and in uremia.
What is the cause of platelet satellitism in blood?
Platelet satellitism is an in vitro phenomenon, the cause of which is unknown. We are unable to relate it to functional abnormalitles of the blood, the clinical condition of the patient, or to drugs. This phenomenon has some clinical importance in that it causes spurious thrombocytopenia. This content is only available as a PDF.
Can a person with EDTA have platelet satellitism?
Platelet satellitism, which is an in vitro phenomenon, is associated with EDTA-treated blood at room temperature. It is seen in patients with vasculitis, lupus, mantle cell lymphoma, and marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, and most commonly in healthy individuals.
Where does an IgG antibody form in platelet satellitism?
It is a rare condition that occurs when an IgG antibody forms in the presence of EDTA, the anticoagulant that is used for the collection of hematology blood specimens. The IgG antibody is directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex on the platelet membrane.
What causes platelet clumping and pseudo thrombocytopenia?
Platelet satellitism and platelet clumping can cause pseudo-thrombocytopenia. Platelet satellitism was first reported in the early 1960’s. It is a rare condition that occurs when an IgG antibody forms in the presence of EDTA, the anticoagulant that is used for the collection of hematology blood specimens.
