Cold Agglutinin Titer, Serum
Use
The cold agglutinin titer test is used in the evaluation of suspected cold agglutinin syndrome. In this syndrome, cold agglutinins, usually IgM with anti-I specificity, attach to erythrocytes causing symptoms such as chronic anemia due to premature removal of the sensitized erythrocytes from circulation by hemolysis, and acrocyanosis of the ears, fingers, or toes due to local blood stasis in the skin capillaries. This test aids in detecting cold agglutinins in patients with suspected cold agglutinin disease.
Special Instructions
The cold agglutinin test is not specific for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and is not recommended to diagnose M pneumoniae infections. Use a warm pack to keep specimen at 37 degrees C prior to and after collection. Allow specimen to clot at the same temperature and centrifuge immediately after clotting. This test was developed consistent with CLIA requirements but has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.
Limitations
Normal individuals may have low levels of cold agglutinins. The test is not a direct measure of clinical significance and must be used with other parameters. Titers below 1000 may be obtained when the autoantibody has different specificity or if the cold agglutinin is of the less-common low-titer, high-thermal-amplitude type.
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 14658-9
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Red top collection tube; submit in plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Use a warm pack to keep specimen at 37 degrees C prior to and after collecting. Allow specimen to clot at 37 degrees C. Centrifuge at 37 degrees C and aliquot serum into plastic vial immediately after blood clots or within one hour of collection. Do not refrigerate prior to separation of serum from red cells.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis is okay, gross icterus is okay.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 72 hours |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |