A cold agglutinin test may be used to help detect cold agglutinin disease and determine the cause of a person’s hemolytic anemia. It may be used as a follow-up test after a complete blood count (CBC) shows a decrease in a person’s red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin, especially if these findings are linked to an exposure to cold temperatures.

Cold agglutinin disease is a rare autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies produced by a person’s immune system mistakenly target and destroy RBCs, causing hemolytic anemia. These autoantibodies are cold-reacting and can cause signs and symptoms related to anemia after an affected person is exposed to cold temperatures. This disease may be classified as either primary or secondary, triggered by an infection or other condition.

Function:

Collagen is a group of proteins found in the flesh and connective tissues. The most abundant protein of the human body, Collagen is the main component of connective tissue. Collagen is found in tissues such as tendon, ligament and skin, and is also abundant in cornea, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, the gut, and intervertebral disc. The fibroblast is the most common cell which creates collagen. In muscle tissue, collagen serves as a major component of the endomysium.

Antibodies Appear:

Arthritis [4]

Goodpasture’s Syndrome (*rat study) [1]

Type 1 Bullous SLE [3]

Known Cross-Reactions:

Clostridium botulinum, RNA polymerase 20–32, Streptococcus pyogenes; [1] Porphyromonas gingivalis; [5,6] Klebsiella; [7] Chicken collagen; [8] Cow, Pig, Goat and Dog collagen; [9] Cow gelatin [10]

- Possibly proinflammatory, may play a role in altering intestinal barrier integrity.

- Produces H2, ethanol, short-chain fatty acids including butyrate, and lactate and is a major utilizer of lactose.

- Contains bile salt hydrolases to metabolize bile, and along with Bifidobacterium, can modify bile acids to modulate the virulence and pathogenicity of enteric pathogens. 

- Consumes oligosaccharides and simple sugars

Stool is normally brown because of pigments formed by bacteria acting on bile introduced into the digestive system from the liver. While certain conditions can cause changes in stool color, many changes are harmless and are caused by pigments in foods or dietary supplements.

Color and clarity may vary. Normal synovial fluid is clear and colorless or straw-colored. Abnormal fluid may look cloudy, opaque, and/or differently colored. For example, cloudy fluid may indicate an infection, and pink or reddish fluid may indicate the presence of blood.

The color of your urine changes with your hydration level but may also change due to pigments in your food or while taking medication. Certain color changes may signal a health condition that needs medical attention.

Measurements of serum complement components C3 is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of immune complex disease e.g. SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus) and some blood associated infectious diseases. Complement concentrations are acute phase proteins and may be normal, despite complement consumption, in some inflammatory and infective disorders. C3 alone is often decreased in infectious disease (septicaemia, endocarditis).

Measurement of serum complement is useful in the monitoring of specific immune complex diseases e.g SLE and infectious diseases post streptococcal disease, subacute bacterial endocarditis.

C3 is the most abundant protein of the complement system. C3 can be cleaved in two divalent fragments, where C3b is the larger fragment. C3a is the smaller fragment that is released into the surrounding fluids. C3a can bind to receptors on basophils and mast cells triggering them to release their vasoactive amines (e.g. histamine). Because of the role of these biomarkers in anaphylaxis, C3a is called an anaphylatoxin. C3a is one of the most potent constrictors of smooth muscle cells. C3a has been shown to be a multifunctional pro-inflammatory mediator.

Complement component 4 (C4) is a blood test that measures the activity of a certain protein. This protein is part of the complement system.

Complement C4a levels can be elevated in conditions associated with inflammation, such as autoimmune diseases, infections, and some neurological disorders. It can also be used in the evaluation of certain pregnancy-related conditions.

Complement Component C1Q is a vital element in the field of immunology and diagnostic medicine, playing a crucial role in the assessment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This component forms part of the complement system, a group of proteins that enhance (complement) the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism. C1Q specifically initiates the classical complement pathway, a critical part of the body's innate immune response. Testing for Complement Component C1Q levels is particularly significant in diagnosing conditions such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other rheumatic diseases.

A total complement measurement, also known as a total hemolytic complement or a CH50 measurement, checks how well the complement system is functioning.

Complement was discovered by Jules Bordet as a heat-labile component of normal plasma that causes the opsonisation and killing of bacteria. The complement system refers to a series of >20 proteins, circulating in the blood and tissue fluids. Most of the proteins are normally inactive, but in response to the recognition of molecular components of microorganisms they become sequentially activated in an enzyme cascade – the activation of one protein enzymatically cleaves and activates the next protein in the cascade.

A total complement measurement, also known as a total hemolytic complement or a CH50 measurement, checks how well the complement system is functioning.

Complement was discovered by Jules Bordet as a heat-labile component of normal plasma that causes the opsonisation and killing of bacteria. The complement system refers to a series of >20 proteins, circulating in the blood and tissue fluids. Most of the proteins are normally inactive, but in response to the recognition of molecular components of microorganisms they become sequentially activated in an enzyme cascade – the activation of one protein enzymatically cleaves and activates the next protein in the cascade.