Open AccessFlow cytometry analysis of platelet antibodies
Author(s) -
Finley Paul R.,
Williams R. Jane,
Fletcher Carla
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.1860020413
Subject(s) - platelet , immunology , flow cytometry , antibody , medicine , monoclonal antibody , coefficient of variation , polyclonal antibodies , chemistry , chromatography
We have devised assays to detect both circulating alloantibodies to platelets (indirect assay) and platelet‐association IgG and IgM (direct assay) using a flow cytometric technique. A variety of patients with immune thrombocytopenia were studied. Employment of a confocal lens in the flow cytometer increased the discrimination power of the instrument. Patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (idiopathic thrombocytic purpura [ITP], systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lymphoma, leukemia, and drug‐induced thrombocytopenia showed a significant increase in platelet‐associated antibody. Circulating antibodies to platelets (alloantibodies) were demonstrated in cases of platelet refractoriness and neonatal isoimmune purpura. Day‐today precision of the assays ranged from 3% to 6% (coefficient of variation). No interference was shown in the presence of hemoglobin (5 g/L), triglycerides (10 g/L), or polyclonal and monoclonal immunoglobulinemia (50 g/L: IgG, IgA, IgM). The sensitivity of the direct assay was 500 attograms of IgG or IgM platelet.