Objective To explore the feasibility of preheating in 41 ℃ water bath for 30 minutes to correct the red blood cell parameters in the specimens containing high-titer cold agglutinins(CAs). Methods Two specimens containing high-titer CAs were selected during work,and the parameters of complete blood count at room temperature or after preheating in 37 ℃ or 41 ℃ water bath were compared.The smears were stained,and the distribution of red blood cells was observed with a microscope.Further,74 specimens without CAs were collected for complete blood count,and then the test results at room temperature and after preheating at 41 ℃ were compared. Results At room temperature,the specimens containing high-titer CAs showed significantly reduced red blood cell count(RBC)and hematocrit(HCT),abnormally increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH)and mean cell hemoglobin concentration(MCHC),abnormal percents of hemoglobin(HGB)and RBC,and aggregation of a large number of red blood cells.After being preheated at 37 ℃ for a certain time,the specimens demonstrated obviously improved parameters while still aggregation of a small number of red blood cells.After being preheated at 41 ℃ for 30 minutes,the specimens showed significantly increased RBC,normal HCT,MCH,and MCHC,and evenly distributed red blood cells.The 74 specimens without CAs showed the comparability was ≥80% between room temperature and preheating at 41 ℃ for 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Conclusion We can preheat the specimens containing high-titer CAs in a water bath at 41 ℃ to obtain accurate red blood cell parameters.
Keywords: cold agglutinins; complete blood count; red blood cell parameters.