Platelet satellitism: a possible mechanism.

Markedly increased platelet surface-bound IgG was found on platelets collected in citrate and heparin in a patient with platelet satellitism. The level on platelets collected in EDTA was mildly increased. However, neutrophils from this patient collected in EDTA had markedly increased surface IgG due to attached platelets, while no surface IgG was seen in citrate or heparin neutrophils, indicating that the anticoagulant EDTA in some way modified the surface IgG or neutrophil membrane resulting in platelet attachment. This is the first case in which a possible mechanism for platelet satellitism has been identified.