Cold antibodies association with cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis and abnormal red cells indices: A Case Report.

Abstract

Objectives: To provide awareness to the pathologists and technologists all about the red cells parameters in cold antibodies concerned cases. Case Report Findings: A sixty seven-years-old male admitted in emergency department of our hospital, having clinical history of swelling and pain in both the lower limb and feet, on physical examination, provisionally diagnosed as a case of Cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis(DVT). Blood specimen was obtained for general hematological investigations. Full blood count (FBC) was performed on sysmex XP-100 hematological analyzer which showed invalid findings especially red cells indices which were not corresponding to the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of the patient. Blood sample was repeated, to confirm invalid red cells indices which showed values as in the 1^st blood specimen. Blood smears revealed aggregation of red cells. By warming the ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) tube containing the blood specimen, in water bath at 37⁰C for one hour and repeated the FBC on hematological analyzer and found the corrected red cells indices. Conclusion: Basic knowledge of cold antibodies and warming the blood sample at 37⁰c for one hour helps the correct diagnosis.