Cold agglutinin disease related mismatch between hematocrit and hemoglobin values

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disease characterized by destruction of red blood cells (RBC) and anemia, caused by production of antibodies released against the body’s own RBCs. While this condition is more commonly idiopathic, it may accompany autoimmune diseases as well. Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare subtype of acquired autoimmune hemoliytic anemia, however, is an idiosyncratic clinical and pathological terminology, usually seen in older ages. This condition is caused by IgM antibodies called “cold agglutinins” formed against I antigens on RBC membranes which cause agglutination of RBCs at lower temperatures. In this case, a 56 year old male patient who was diagnosed with CAD secondary to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is being presented.