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Comparison of various diagnostic methods in assessing platelet count in patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Affiliations- Department of Haematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland, Pabianicka 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Experimental Haematology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Haemostasis Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Poland, Lodz, Poland
- Hematology Clinic, Medical University of Lodz, Poland, Lodz, Poland
open access
Abstract
Introduction: Accurate platelet count (PLTC) in immune thrombocytopenia is important in order to make therapeutic decisions. The basic method of assessing PLTC is peripheral blood morphology with EDTA or with citrate. The older way of assessing PLTC is measurement under the microscope (FONIO), and the newer way is the fluorescent method. The purpose of this study was to compare PLTC methods, and find the most reliable. Material and methods: PLTC was assessed using five methods in adult patients with previously untreated ITP (EDTA, citrate, FONIO, fluorescent, and immunofluorescent methods). Results: 66 patients were enrolled in the study. The median age was 56 and 56% were men. Median PLTC in EDTA was 69 G/L, in citrate 69 G/L, in fluorescence 69 G/L, in FONIO 90 G/L, and in immunofluorescence 83 G/L. A significant difference in PLTC was observed in comparing EDTA to immunofluorescence (53% ±123%), followed by FONIO (51% ±91%). PLTC from immunofluorescence differed from the fluorescent method by 40% ±78%. Conclusions: The most valuable method for obtaining PLTC is the immunofluorescent method. These findings are especially important in helping to make therapeutic decisions during a challenging time for accessing medical care like a pandemic.
Abstract
Introduction: Accurate platelet count (PLTC) in immune thrombocytopenia is important in order to make therapeutic decisions. The basic method of assessing PLTC is peripheral blood morphology with EDTA or with citrate. The older way of assessing PLTC is measurement under the microscope (FONIO), and the newer way is the fluorescent method. The purpose of this study was to compare PLTC methods, and find the most reliable. Material and methods: PLTC was assessed using five methods in adult patients with previously untreated ITP (EDTA, citrate, FONIO, fluorescent, and immunofluorescent methods). Results: 66 patients were enrolled in the study. The median age was 56 and 56% were men. Median PLTC in EDTA was 69 G/L, in citrate 69 G/L, in fluorescence 69 G/L, in FONIO 90 G/L, and in immunofluorescence 83 G/L. A significant difference in PLTC was observed in comparing EDTA to immunofluorescence (53% ±123%), followed by FONIO (51% ±91%). PLTC from immunofluorescence differed from the fluorescent method by 40% ±78%. Conclusions: The most valuable method for obtaining PLTC is the immunofluorescent method. These findings are especially important in helping to make therapeutic decisions during a challenging time for accessing medical care like a pandemic.
Keywords
flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immune thrombocytopenia, platelet count
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About this articleTitle
Comparison of various diagnostic methods in assessing platelet count in patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original research article
Pages
584-589
Published online
2021-05-10
Page views
4197
Article views/downloads
351
DOI
10.5603/AHP.a2021.0030
Bibliographic record
Acta Haematol Pol 2021;52(6):584-589.
Keywords
flow cytometry
immunofluorescence
immune thrombocytopenia
platelet count
Authors
Michał Witkowski
Magdalena Witkowska
Marzena Tybura-Sawicka
Agata Majchrzak
Tadeusz Robak
Piotr Smolewski
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