Febrile/Cold Agglutinins
Alternate Names : Cold Agglutinins, Weil-Felix Reaction, Widal's Test
DefinitionThis test measures the level of warm or cold agglutinins in blood. Agglutinins are antibodies that cause the red blood cells to gather together. Cold agglutinins are active at cold temperatures. Warm agglutinins are active at normal body temperature.
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Why is the Test Performed?
These antibodies can cause a hemolytic anemia. This occurs when the body destroys its own red blood cells. Distinguishing between warm and cold agglutinins can help understand why the hemolytic anemia is occuring and directs therapy.
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