The role of platelet and fibrin ultrastructure in identifying disease patterns.

Platelets and fibrin play an important role in the coagulation process where they are involved in the maintenance of haemostasis. Many diseases like cancer, thrombotic disease, bleeding disorders, asthma and even conditions like HIV/AIDS are associated with ultrastructural changes in platelets and fibrin, and because of this altered morphology in many diseases, the question now arises whether ultrastructural and morphological analyses of platelets and fibrin networks have a place in contemporary medical research. The present work aims to demonstrate the usefulness of ultrastructural analyses in the broadening of knowledge of disease patterns and suggests that information gained by studying ultrastructure may enhance treatment regimes. We propose an altered haemostasis with changed coagulation factors resulting in a thrombotic event is present in the human body long before the actual event. Thus, by studying the coagulum and platelet profile, preventative actions can be taken. It is therefore concluded that morphology and ultrastructure do indeed have a place in medical research based on the fact that the knowledge obtained through these studies helps in the broadening of knowledge of disease patterns. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.