What should be done if a cold agglutinin is suspected of causing erroneous CBC results?

When cold agglutinins are suspected of causing erroneous Complete Blood Count (CBC) results, incubating the specimen at 37 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes is an effective strategy. This approach helps to dissociate any clumps of red blood cells that may have formed due to the presence of cold agglutinins, which are antibodies that cause red blood cells to clump together at lower temperatures. By warming the sample, the red blood cells return to their individual state, allowing for more accurate measurements of red blood cell counts and related parameters in the CBC.

This method is particularly important because warm temperatures can negate the effects of the cold agglutinins, leading to better representation of the true cellular composition of the blood sample. Consequently, the results obtained after warming the sample are more reliable and reflective of the patient's actual hematologic status, facilitating appropriate diagnosis and treatment.