Cell Electrophoresis for the Detection of Platelet Antibodies

Cell electrophoresis was studied as a method for the detection of antibodies against platelets. Use was made of a Zeiss cytopherometer. After replacement of the original copper-copper sulfate electrodes by newly designed platinum electrodes, a good reproducibility of the method was obtained. Antiplatelet heteroantibodies and usually also antiplatelet isoantibodies were found to reduce the electrophoretic mobility of platelets. The influence of drug-induced antiplatelet antibodies on the electrophoretic mobility appeared to be dependent on the presence of complement in the incubation mixture, as was the case with some anti-red cell antibodies. From studies with sera from patients recovered or suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and with platelets from patients with thrombocytopenia it was concluded that cell electrophoresis is unsuitable for the demonstration of the thrombocytopenic factor.