Platelet antibodies

Last updated: Friday, 19, March, 2004

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Item Process
Specimen

  1. 5 mL blood in citrate tube for 'direct' tests of platelet bound antibody.
  2. 5 mL blood in plain tube for 'indirect' tests of antibody in serum.

Only performed in specialised laboratories.

Method

IF, EIA, solid phase red cell adherence, flow cytometry, direct and indirect antiglobulin techniques, MAIPA.

Platelet aggregation for heparin-dependent antibodies (HIT).

Variously used to demonstrate platelet autoantibodies, drug-dependent antibodies, alloantibodies.

Application

It is sometimes used in the investigation of immune thrombocytopenias: ITP, drug-induced thrombocytopenia (including HIT), post-transfusion purpura and neonatal thrombocytopenia.

Investigation of refractoriness to platelet transfusion.

See also Heparin-dependent platelet antibodies.

Reference

Kaplan C et al. Transf Med 1992; 2: 265-271.