Cold agglutinin disease

Cold agglutinin disease (pronunciation: kohld ag-loo-tuh-nin dih-zeez) is a rare type of autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own red blood cells.

Etymology

The term "cold agglutinin" refers to a type of antibody that binds to and destroys red blood cells at low temperatures. "Disease" is derived from the Old French desaise, meaning lack of ease.

Definition

Cold agglutinin disease is characterized by the presence of high concentrations of circulating antibodies in the blood, known as cold agglutinins, that can bind to and destroy red blood cells at low temperatures. This destruction of red blood cells is known as hemolysis, and it can lead to anemia, fatigue, and other complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cold agglutinin disease can vary widely, but they often include fatigue, pale skin, cold hands and feet, dark urine, and jaundice. In severe cases, it can cause complications such as heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Causes

Cold agglutinin disease can be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Primary cold agglutinin disease has no known cause, while secondary cold agglutinin disease is usually associated with other conditions such as infections, other autoimmune diseases, or certain types of cancer, particularly lymphoma and leukemia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cold agglutinin disease typically involves blood tests to detect the presence of cold agglutinins and to assess the extent of hemolysis. Other tests may be performed to identify any underlying conditions that may be causing the disease.

Treatment

Treatment for cold agglutinin disease typically involves managing symptoms and treating any underlying conditions. This may include avoiding cold temperatures, blood transfusions, and medications to suppress the immune system.

Related Terms

• Autoimmune disease
• Hemolysis
• Anemia
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lymphoma
• Leukemia

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cold agglutinin disease
• Wikipedia's article - Cold agglutinin disease

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