Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Immune Hemolytic Anemias. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Cold-reactive autoantibodies may be encountered in serologic testing. Cold autoantibodies are generally not clinically significant but they can cause difficulties during ABO/Rh typing and antibody detection.
Benign cold autoantibodies are IgM immunoglobulins present in the plasma at 4°C. They have been known to react at room temperature on occasion and can activate complement as well. These autoantibodies usually have a low titer; typically less than 1:64. Common benign autoantibodies include Anti-I, Anti-i, and Anti-IH.
Pathologic cold autoantibodies are known to react at much broader thermal ranges. Antibodies that cause disease usually bind to red cell antigens at 30-32°C. These antibodies are found in cold hemagglutinin disease (often secondary to infection) and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH).