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HelpTest Code COLDA Cold Agglutinins
Additional Test Codes
Epic Order Name: COLD AGGLUTININ TITER (aka COLDA)
Sunquest Order Code: COLDA
Epic Px Code: LAB2157
Specimen Collection Type
Preferred: Red
Acceptable: Gold
Tube must be wrapped with a heel warmer immediately after
collection and delivered to the lab promptly to be placed in a
heatblock until fully clotted.
Specimens not kept at 37° C before separation of serum from
cells will adversely affect test results.
Minimum Collection Volume
0.25 mL
Reference Range
< 1:32 Negative
Critical Value
n/a
Interpretation
Titers of 1:32 or higher are considered elevated by this technique. Elevated titers are rarely seen except in primary atypical pneumonia and in certain hemolytic anemias. If the agglutination is not reversible after incubation at 37°C, then the reaction is not due to cold agglutinins.
Primary atypical pneumonia can be caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza, and adenoviruses. However, a fourfold rise in the cold agglutinins usually begins to appear late in the first week or during the second week of the disease and begins to decrease between the fourth and sixth weeks. Low titers of cold agglutinins have been demonstrated in malaria, peripheral vascular disease, and common respiratory disease.
Rejection Criteria
Plasma or CSF. Refrigerated whole blood. Contaminated, severely hemolyzed, or lipemic, specimens.
Specimen Availability for Add-on Testing
This test cannot be added on
Specimen Stability
After separation from cells:
Refrigerated (preferred): 2 weeks
Ambient: 48 hours
Frozen: 1 year
Day(s) Performed
TUE, THU, SAT
Performing Lab - Department
TUKHS-BH-Mail Outs
CPT Code
86157
LOINC Code
5098-9
Test Alias
Cold Agglutinin Titer
Febrile Agglutinins
Additional Information / Notes
Specimen must be maintained at 37° C until separation of serum from cells.