Platelet satellitism is a rare in vitro phenomenon that occurs when an immunoglobulinG antibody directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex on the platelet membrane forms in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-treated peripheral blood at room temperature [1,2]. As the antibody coats the platelets, platelets adhering to polymorphonuclear leukocytes show a rosette-like appearance [3]. There is no definite causal association with any disease. Severe rosetting may lead to a misdiagnosis of thrombocytopenia unless peripheral smears are examined [4].
The images presented here were obtained from a 5-year-old child with an upper respiratory tract infection accompanying asthma. Thrombocytopenia was not detected in complete blood count (Figures 1 and 2).
Figures 1 and 2.
Platelet satellitism in a 5-year-old child with an upper respiratory tract infection accompanying asthma.
Footnotes
Informed Consent: The patient’s family consented to the publication of this study.
Authorship Contributions
Drafting, reviewing: Y.A.A.; Reviewing: Y.A.A., N.A.
Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Financial Disclosure: The authors have no sources of support for this work.
References
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