Variation of Cold Agglutinin Levels

Abstract

Cold agglutinin levels were determined in 120 individuals ranging in age from 1-64 yr using untreated and ficin-treated group O erythrocytes. The geometric mean titer for untreated cells was 5.7 .+-. 1.1 and for ficin-treated cells 18.7 .+-. 1.1. The mean titers and scores for various blood groups were not significantly different. Titers and scores correlated significantly to total serum Ig[immunoglobulin]M concentration (P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher cold agglutinin levels than males (P < 0.001). A significant decrease of cold agglutinins occurred in the 26- to 64-yr age group as compared to the 11- to 25-year age group (P < 0.01). The data should contribute to a clearer understanding of the biological impact of cold agglutinins.