Cold Agglutinin Disease (CAD)

The autoimmune hemolytic anemia-cold agglutinin disease (CAD) accounts for up to 30% of all immune hemolytic anemias. Its diagnosis is challenging, and for effective management, it is important to differentiate it from other conditions with close differential diagnosis such as PCH, PNH, cryoglobulinemia, and drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia. In this chapter, a clinical case scenario is presented followed by step-by-step evidence-based approach to utilize specialized and advanced tests to unravel final diagnosis of CAD. A comprehensive description of pathophysiology of disease, methods of handling blood and bone marrow samples for processing and correlation of results of investigations with signs and symptoms are presented in question–answer format. Salient points are summarized for quick revision. To gain expertise in this topic and enhance your diagnostic skills for effective planning of management, read this chapter on autoimmune hemolytic anemia-cold antibody disease (CAD).