Direct Coombs test (also known as the direct antiglobulin test or DAT) is a laboratory test used to detect antibodies or complement proteins attached to the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The test is mainly used to investigate the cause of hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.
What is Hemolysis?
Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as an infection, certain medications, or a genetic disorder. Hemolysis can lead to anemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.
What is the Direct Coombs Test?
The direct Coombs test is a laboratory test used to detect antibodies or complement proteins attached to the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The test is done by mixing the patient's red blood cells with a special antibody mixture called anti-human globulin (AHG). If antibodies are present on the surface of the red blood cells, they will bind to the AHG and cause the red blood cells to clump together. The presence of clumping indicates a positive result on the direct Coombs test.
What is the Purpose of the Direct Coombs Test?
The direct Coombs test is mainly used to investigate the cause of hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. It is also used to detect antibodies that may be causing autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells. In addition, the direct Coombs test is also used to determine if a patient is sensitized to a particular blood type before they receive a blood transfusion.
