Leukoagglutination, Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia, and EDTA Acid Blood

We read the report “Peculiar Cold-Induced Leukoagglutination in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia” with great interest [1]. Kubota et al. [1] reported an interesting patient with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia who had leukoagglutination. They noted that this is a rare condition. We agree that the patient had leukoagglutination and Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Nevertheless, the leukoagglutination in this case may or may not have been due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. A common problem that might be forgotten is EDTA-induced leukoagglutination [2]. This basic laboratory interference phenomenon cannot be ruled out in the present case. As noted by Grob and Angelillo-Scherrer, EDTA-dependent leukoagglutination can be seen in healthy individuals and this is not related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia [3].