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Test Code 9869 Cold Agglutinin Screen

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Titration-Red Cell Agglutination at 4° C

Testing Algorithm:  

If the screen is positive, a full antibody titration will be performed at 4° C, at an additional charge. Positive Cold Agglutinin Screen-Consult with LMR to add Thermal Amplitude to Cold Agglutinin Titer. A Thermal Amplitude study helps determine if the patient has a Cold Auto antibody with a high thermal amplitude reacting at RT, 30oC, 37oC. If the patient is undergoing Cardio-Thoracic surgery it is appropriate to add incubation at 15oC-18oC.

Specimen Requirements

Call Laboratory Medicine resident at digital pager 314-747-1320 for approval before obtaining the specimen.

 

For diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, see #8767 Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibody, IgG, Serum and #8768 Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibody, IgM, Serum.

 

Hospital Patient:
Preferred:

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Pink top (EDTA)-Separator gel tube is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Specimen Minimum Volume:

Adult: 10 mL

Child: 4 mL

Neonate: 2 EDTA Microtainers

Collection Instructions:
1. Obtain Kwik Heat Instant Pack from Barnes-Jewish Hospital Blood Bank

2. Draw specimen and immediately sandwich the tube in the activated Kwik Heat Instant Pack.
3. Deliver immediately to Blood Bank Laboratory.
Note: Temperature of specimen should be between 32o C to 42o C upon receipt.

Additional Information:

1. Specimen must be labeled with either a PPID label, chart or non- computer generated label including patient’s name, hospital registration number and date of birth.

2. Specimen must have a full signature (phlebotomist). Check Sample will be requested on patients without prior ABO/Rh history

 


Alternate (if Kwik Heat Instant Pack is not available):

Specimen: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Pink top (EDTA)-Separator gel tube is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Specimen Minimum Volume:

Adult: 10 mL

Child: 4 mL

Neonate: 2 EDTA Microtainers

Additional Information:

1. Specimen must be labeled with either a PPID label, chart or non- computer generated label including patient’s name, hospital registration number and date of birth.

2. Specimen must have a full signature (phlebotomist). Check Sample will be requested on patients without prior ABO/Rh history

3. Deliver immediately to the Blood Bank Laboratory at ambient temperature.

 

Non Hospital Patient:

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Pink top (EDTA)-Separator gel tube is not acceptable.

Additional Information:

1. Label tube with patient’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
2. Specimen must be signed by person drawing the specimen. Initials are not acceptable.
3. If a type and screen is also requested or is added to this request the specimen must have one full signature (phlebotomist). Initials are not acceptable. Check Sample may be requested on patients without prior ABO/Rh history.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday
Turnaround Time:
STAT: not available

Routine: results available the day of testing.

Test Classification and CPT Coding

86156-Cold agglutinin screen

86157-Cold agglutinin titer (if appropriate)

Reference Values

Negative

If the screen is positive, a full Antibody Titration will be performed, incubated at 4° C.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Kwik Heat Instant Pack-Hospital Patient

Ambient-Non Hospital Patient

Additional Information

For BJH Laboratory Use Only
Alternate Tube:

1 red-top tube

Analyte Stability:

If specimen is not received on Kwik Heat Instant Pack, testing can be performed after incubating at 37° C for 15 minutes.

Laboratory Processing Instructions:

Test performed in BJH Blood Bank. Centrifuge upon receipt. After testing is performed, store specimen refrigerated at 2° C to 8° C. If specimen is not received on Kwik Heat Instant Pack, testing can be performed after incubating at 37° C for 15 minutes. Full antibody titration (#9870) is only orderable by Blood Bank.