Cold Agglutinins
Test Mnemonic
COLD
CPT Codes
- 86157 - QTY (1)
Includes
- Cold, 4 Degrees C
- Cold, 37 Degrees C
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Ambient | Ambient | Do not use serum separator tubes. Specimen must clot at room temperature. Refrigeration of specimens before separation of serum from cells will adversely affect results. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 48 hours, after serum is removed from the clot; sample must clot at room temperature |
| Refrigerated | 14 days, after serum is removed from the clot; sample must clot at room temperature |
| Frozen | 30 days, after serum is removed from the clot; sample must clot at room temperature |
Days Performed
Tue - Sat
Turnaround Time
1 - 4 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Agglutination |
Reference Range
| Cold Agglutinins | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Negative (Normal): < 1:32 at 4 degrees C |
Special Info
Do not use serum separator tubes. Specimen must clot at room temperature. Refrigeration of specimens before separation of serum from cells will adversely affect results.
Clinical Info
Elevated cold agglutinin titers may be seen during infections such as with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and Malaria parasites, among others and also in certain hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases such autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Clinical correlation is required.