Background: EDTA related pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is immune mediated, time and temperature dependent spurious low platelet counts commonly observed in laboratory practices, as an in vitro phenomenon. Microscopic evaluation of every sample is not possible due to immense workload hence PTCP is overlooked mostly due to immense work load .Vortex mixer is practically feasible tool often used in laboratories to obtain the accurate platelet counts of the suspected samples by using same EDTA anticoagulated samples. Aim: To evaluate the frequency of EDTA related pseudothrombocytopenia in OPD of tertiary care centre and analyze the vortexing for resolution of PTCP. Methodology: This was case control study conducted in clinical pathology department of JPMC in collaboration with ICU from November 2022 to January 2023. Total 3000 samples of CBC were analyzed. 150 patients with platelet count less than 150µl , with abnormal histograms and platelet clumps on smear were enrolled as cases of PTCP. 150 healthy individuals with match age and gender recruited as controls. Sample was subjected to vortex for 2 min at 3000rpm Samples were reanalyze ,clumps dissolution recheck by smear. Results : Prevalence of isolated thrombocytopenia was 33%, with 15% cases of EDTA related PTCP, platelet clumps seen in all PTCP cases on smear, 87% clumps were resolved completely with significantly increased platelet counts post vortexing with p value <0.05. Conclusion: Vortexing has proved as a promising, rapid and a cost effective method to deal with PTCP, save patient from needless investigations and invasive procedures. Keywords: Thrombocytopenia, Pseudothrombocytopenia, Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, Vortex, Platelet histograms,

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The disease is multifactorial and the diagnosis is based on laboratory tests. Zinc is an element that is involved in many processes in our bodies. Objectives: To identify the relationship between serum zinc levels in both groups and whether zinc levels are associated with the severity of the disease and other related health outcomes in these patients. Method: This case-control study was carried out on 100 patients of Acne vulgaris in Dermatology ward 4, Outpatient department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Patients of age between 11-35 years, with untreated acne vulgaris with mild, moderate, or severe condition. Intravenous blood samples up to 3 mL were taken from both selected cases and controls in yellow top tubes. The collected blood was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the serum was collected and stored at −40°C until further processing. Results: A significant correlation was observed between the case and control groups for moderate hair fall (p-value 0.045) and severe hair fall (p-value = 0.013) among participants and serum zinc levels. Whereas no significant difference was observed in the minor and unknown status of hair fall groups (p-value >0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest of this study that zinc has a potent role not only in the management of acne but is also related to other factors such as hair fall, diarrhea, and vision