Vol.98 No.6 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 98 No. 6 June 2005
EDTA-Dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia
Associated with Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Yukiyoshi Hyo, Hideho Wada, Hirotoshi Tokunaga,
Teruhito Aihara, Tamotsu Harada and Takashi Sugihara
(Kawasaki Medical School)
Pseudothrombocytopenia was identified as a phenomenon when it became possible to count platelets using an automatic blood cell counter. This phenomenon occurs when platelets become coagulated with ethylene diamine tetratic acetic acid; EDTA.
A 28-year-old-man presented with a history of sore throat and neck pain. Based on blood test findings, infectious mononucleosis was diagnosed. After he was hospitalized, the platelet count was decreased (5.2×104/ml). So we changed the anticoagulant from EDTA to heparin sodium. Since we suspected pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP), we measured the platelet count again and found that the platelet count was elevated (21.0×104/ml). PTCP should be considered when Epstein-Barr virus infection is diagnosed. This is a rare case of pseudothrombocytopenia accompanied by Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Key words : EDTA, pseudothrombocytopenia, Epstein-Barr virus