PMC4196522_01
Light microscopy of a healthy individual's whole blood smear (scale = 10) (A); SEM micrograph of a typical discoid RBC (scale = 1 mum) (B); Typical bulbous platelet with some pseudopodia (scale = 1 mum) (C); Fibrin network (scale = 1 mum) (D).
PLT-25-461-g001.jpg
PMC4196522_01_PLT-25-461-g001.jpg
f1
Healthy RBCs are typically discoid in shape (Figure 1A and B), while platelets are bulbous, with a few pseudopodia (Figure 1C) - this morphology is typically seen when a smear is made on a glass slide. Fibrin networks in healthy individuals, created by adding thrombin to platelet-rich plasma, typically show fibrin nets, without platelets (Figure 1D).  
Light microscopy of a whole blood smear with arrows showing platelets between erythrocytes (scale = 10 mum) (A); Erythrocyte with changed ultrastructure (scale = 1 mum) (B); SEM micrograph of activated platelet with spreading and membrane changes (scale = 2 mum) (C); Numerous platelets within dense fibrin networks (scale = 2 mum) (D).
PLT-25-461-g002.jpg
PMC4196522_01_PLT-25-461-g002.jpg
f2
A blood smear from the patient showed platelets between non-discoid erythrocytes (Figure 2A and B). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed numerous platelets in whole blood smears, showing spreading, activation, and major membrane changes (Figure 2C). In fibrin micrographs, numerous platelets were associated with fibrin fibers (Figure 2D).