Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) is an autoimmune disorder where the host's immune system produces antibodies against its own red blood cells (RBCs), leading to their premature destruction.
Diagnosing IMHA in cats requires detecting these autoantibodies on the RBC membrane or observing spontaneous erythrocyte autoagglutination.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements.
Statement (I) is correct. The Coombs' test, also known as the direct antiglobulin test (DAT), is a standard diagnostic test used to confirm IMHA in dogs and cats.
It uses a reagent (Coombs' reagent) containing anti-species immunoglobulins (such as anti-feline IgG, IgM, and C3).
When added to washed RBCs from an affected cat, the reagent binds to any autoantibodies already present on the RBC surfaces, causing visible agglutination (clumping).
Statement (II) is correct. The rapid slide agglutination test (SAT) is a simple, valuable in-clinic test used to diagnose IMHA.
It involves mixing one drop of EDTA-anticoagulated blood with one to four drops of physiological saline on a glass slide.
If the red blood cells are coated with autoantibodies (typically IgM or high-avidity IgG), they will spontaneously clump together, forming visible macro-agglutination.
Differentiating true autoagglutination from simple rouleaux formation (which disperses with saline dilution) is essential.
Since both tests are established methods for diagnosing feline IMHA, both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A).