Markedly increased red cell fragmentations counted as platelets in a patient with thrombotic microangiopathy
Wada, H.; Sakakura, M.; Fujieda, A.; Sakaguchi, A.; Abe, Y.
Rinsho Byori. Japanese Journal of Clinical Pathology 53(4): 303-307
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1860 PMID: 15915766 Document Number: 590204
A patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) experienced severe thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) after allo-bone marrow transplantation (BMT). She had high risk for TMA; due to total body irradiation (TBI), intensive chemotherapy, treatment with Ciclosporin and association with veno-occlusive disease (VOD). Markedly increased fragmentations of red blood cells were observed in this case, and were incorrectly counted as platelets by a fully automated blood cells counter. Careful evaluation of the platelet count is necessary in patients with red cell fragmentations.