Anti-ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetate (EDTA)-Induced Pseudothrombocytopenia in a Nigerian Middle-Aged Man

Ethylene diamine tetra-acetate-induced pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is a rare laboratory phenomenon where antibodies target platelet glycoproteins (GP) IIb/IIIa, causing platelet clumping and falsely low platelet counts. This can lead to misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and an artificially elevated white blood cell count. We report a 51-year-old man referred for worsening thrombocytopenia without signs of active bleeding. He had persistent low-grade fever and generalized weakness while receiving treatment for malaria. At our facility, his platelet count dropped from 25,000/mm³ to 9,500/mm³. Suspecting EDTA-PTCP, we requested a peripheral blood film and repeated testing using a different anticoagulant. The results confirmed platelet clumping, revealing that the initial thrombocytopenia was spurious. EDTA-PTCP may be underrecognized, leading to unnecessary interventions. Awareness and early suspicion are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure accurate patient management.