Question:

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I) : Coombs' test is used for diagnosis of immune mediated hemolytic anemia of cats.
Statement (II) : The immune mediated hemolytic anemia of cats can also be diagnosed by slide agglutination test.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Show Hint

To distinguish true autoagglutination from rouleaux in a slide agglutination test:
Always dilute the blood sample with saline (usually a 1:4 ratio of blood to saline).
Rouleaux (stacking of RBCs due to high protein) will disperse, whereas true autoagglutination will remain clumped.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false
  • Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false
  • Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

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).
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