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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Cold agglutinin-mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Sigbjørn Berentsen1, Ulla Randen2, Geir E Tjønnfjord3
1Department of Medicine, Haugesund Hospital, Karmsundgata 120, Haugesund NO-5504, Norway.
Abstract:
Cold antibody types account for about 25% of autoimmune hemolytic anemias. Primary chronic cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is characterized by a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder. Secondary cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) complicates specific infections and malignancies. Hemolysis in CAD and CAS is mediated by the classical complement pathway and is predominantly extravascular. Not all patients require treatment. Successful CAD therapy targets the pathogenic B-cell clone. Complement modulation seems promising in both CAD and CAS. Further development and documentation are necessary before clinical use. We review options for possible complement-directed therapy.
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