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Platelet clump

Platelet clump
#00060929
Author: Teresa Scordino
Category: Morphologic variants of normal cells > Morphologic variants of platelets/megakaryocytes
Published Date: 12/01/2016

Platelet clumping can lead to a falsely decreased automated platelet count.  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.