Sequential measurement of anti-platelet antibodies in a patient who developed EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia is the occurrence of a falsely low platelet count caused by antibodies that agglutinate platelets in the presence of EDTA. If unrecognized, it may result in the erroneous diagnosis of thrombocytopenia and possible inappropriate therapy. It has been noted that this phenomenon tends to appear in hospitalized patients after an initially normal platelet count, but sequential measurements of anti-platelet antibody have not been reported. The case of a patient who developed EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia approximately 1 week after being hospitalized for severe trauma is described. Anti-platelet antibodies were not detected on admission by a radiolabeled antiglobulin technique but were shown to increase in titer concurrent with the appearance of EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia.