Platelet Counts
-
Upload
shikhar623 -
Category
Documents
-
view
227 -
download
3
description
Transcript of Platelet Counts
Platelet Counts
Dr Kunal Sehgal, M.D.Associate Consultant
Hematology LaboratoryDepartment of Lab Medicine
PD Hinduja National Hospital and MRC
PD Hinduja HospitalTata memorial HospitalPGIMER, Chandigarh
Platelets – Historical Perspective
• 1882- Platelets recognised as distinct corpuscles – Italian pathologist Giulio Bizzozero
• 1953 - Manual Phase Contrast Microscopic Method using Neubauer chamber - ICSH - Gold Standard 1988-2001
• 1965 -72- Semi- Automated and Fully Automated Counters
• 1981- Hydrodynamically focused whole blood aperture IMPEDANCE counter
• 1985- OPTICAL Platelet Counts
• Early 1990s- Flow cytometric methods based on CD41/61
• 2001- Flow Cytometric RBC platelet Ratio – the new International reference Method (IRM)
Manual Platelet Counts- The Old Gold Standard
• Laborious • Time Intensive• Subjective• High Inter- observer CVs of 10-25 %
Briggs et al. Continuing developments with the automated platelet count. Int. Jnl. Lab. Hem.2007,29,77-91.
International Flow Reference Method The New Gold Standard
RBC/Platelet Ratio Method
Dual Platform Method
Absolute Platelet Count=
Platelet events X RBC count RBC events (Automated Cell Analyzer)
ISLH Task Force, Am J Clin Pathol 115, 460-464.(2001)
CD41/61
RBC
Platelets
Peripheral Blood Smear (Platelet count check only)
• Platelets to be counted in a region where RBCs and platelets are well dispersed.
• Atleast 10 oil immersion fields to be counted (more in lower counts)
Average no. of platelets in a field multiplied by 10000 is the approximate platelet count
Problems of Peripheral Smear Platelet Check
• Platelet Clumps• Platelet Satellitism on WBCs• Poor Smearing• Highly subjective
Peripheral Blood Smear (Platelet count check only)
• Eg :
a) 10 fields – 45 platelets
Avg. plt per field is 4.5
Approximate Platelet count=4.5x10000=45000
b) 20 fields – 40 platelets
Avg. plt per field is 2
Approximate Plt count=2x10000=20000
ARTEFACTS
Automated CBC Analysers
• Impedance principle• Optical Principle
Counters count many more cells and hence more reproducible results
Improved C.V. - typically less than 5%
Impedance Principle
• Coulter Principle or Resistance detection method
• Cells suspended in an elecrolyte solution
• Change in electric impedance impedance signal
• Impedance signal Directly proportional to the volume of the cell
CBC Histograms
Normal Platelets histogram
Giant Platelets histogram
Problems with Impedance Counts
Optical PrincipleTwo dimensional Light Scatter
Two angles of laser ight scatter are measuredLight Scatter- 2-3°C- volume (plt size)Light Scatter- 5-15°C- refractive index (plt density)
Rbc fragments have a different RI as compared to platelets and hence can be separated
Optical Fluorescence platelet countingSize vs. Fluorescence plot (Polymethine Dye)
RBC fragments do not contain RNA while giant platelets and immature forms contain RNA and are called reticulated plateletsThese are easily separated from microcytic RBCs and fragments
Advantages of Optical Platelet Counting
Microcytic RBCGiant PLT
Optical Platelet Enumeration
CASE STUDIES
Case Study 1
Automated CBC -Platelet count – 1.05lacs
PS- many large platelet clumps
What do you do?
Peripheral Smear – comment –
Platelets are seen in many clumps. Platelets are adequate on smear (>1lac). Kindly repeat CBC for accurate platelet count if clinically indicated.
Case Study 2
Automated CBC -Platelet count – 2.35lacs
PS- many platelet clumps
What do you do?
Peripheral Smear – comment –
Platelets are adequate on smear. Platelets are also seen in clumps.
Case Study 3 - 31/F,Blood Donor, East Indian Origin,
Normal Hb and WBC, Impedance Plt- 134, Platelet O –162, Morphologically- Many Giant platelets
Case Study 4- CBC Histogram
Case Study 4- continued…
Platelet Clumps in WBC Ghost Area
Ghost area in a case of platelet clumps
Ghost area in a normal CBC
• 72 year old male
• Hemogram revealed thrombocytopenia (54,000/cmm)
Case Study 5
Based on platelet histogram findings, a
peripheral smear examination was done
• Giant platelets were seen• Platelet clumps seen
The sample contained adequate platelets,
however we got spurious results on
automated analyzer
Peripheral smear showing manyplatelet clumps (10x).
EDTA induced Pseudothrombocytopenia
Citrated PB Sample –Platelet count- 2.35 lacs
Case Study 655/M A know case of Acute Leukemia
Hb -7.5g% WBC- 21.5 x103 /ul Platelet count- 18 x103 /ul
What do you do next?
Peripheral smear check-
Rule out micro clots in sample
Look for fibrin strands and platelet clumps on slide
Do a peripheral smear estimation of platelet counts
Be aware of the clinical decisions that depends on your result- i.e know the transfusion threshold levels
Discuss case with clinician if required
Case study 7- Acceptable C.V.Case Scenario 1• First run, platelet count- 200000• Second run, platelet count – 192000
A difference of 8000. Is this Acceptable? Yes- the difference is only 4%
Case Scenario 2• First run platelet count- 24000• Second run platelet count – 16000
A difference of 8000. Is this Acceptable?
NO- the difference is of 33% and will have a huge clinical impact!
Any Questions ?