A Case of Idiopathic Cold Agglutinin Hemolytic Anemia Successfully Treated With Steroids

Cureus. 2022 Mar 15;14(3):e23172. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23172. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a type of hemolytic anemia in which cold agglutinins can cause agglutination of red blood cells in cold parts of the body and hemolytic anemia. Cold agglutinin-mediated hemolytic anemia can occur in the setting of an underlying viral infection, autoimmune disorder, or lymphoid malignancy, referred to as a secondary cold agglutinin syndrome, or without one of these underlying disorders, referred to as primary CAD (also known as idiopathic CAD). We present a case of a 71-year-old female with hemolytic anemia due to primary CAD. The secondary causes of CAD, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and malignancy, were ruled out. She was successfully treated with prednisone.

Keywords: anemia; autoantibodies; cold agglutinin disease; direct coombs test; immune hemolytic anemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports