Abstract

Background: Platelet clumping caused by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and erythrocyte agglutination caused by cold agglutinins are often found in clinical findings. However, erythrocyte agglutination induced by EDTA has not been reported as yet.
Case report: Spurious low red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet counts were observed in a patient blood sample collected in EDTA in vitro at room temperature and 37°C. However, the phenomena were only observed in the sodium citrate and heparin anticoagulated blood at room temperature, but not at 37°C. Both erythrocyte agglutination and platelet clumping were observed in the peripheral blood smear. These data suggest an EDTA-temperature-induced pseudohematocytopenia.
Conclusions: It is a very rare phenomenon to observe erythrocyte agglutination induced by EDTA and temperature.

DOI: Clin. Lab. 2012;58:563-565