Indirect Coombs Test is used to detect, antibodies against Red Blood Cells (RBCs) that are unbound and present in serum. For this purpose, native RBCs are removed from the blood and foreign RBCs are added, antigenicity of...
What are Coombs tests?
Other names for the Coombs test- Antiglobulin test, Red Blood Cell Antibody Screening
Coombs test is a test that detects antibodies against Red Blood Cells, which attack RBCs and cause hemolysis.
What are the 2 types of Coombs tests?
Following are the 2 types of Coombs test:
- Direct Coombs Test (DCT) / Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT)
- Indirect Coombs Test (ICT) / Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT)
Direct Coombs Test is used to detect the antibodies which are bound to the surface of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). These antibodies cause hemolysis of RBCs.
Due to this, RBCs are destroyed prematurely, and otherwise RBCs have a life-span of about 120 days. This results in Hemolytic Anemia.
Indirect Coombs Test is used to detect, antibodies against Red Blood Cells (RBCs) that are unbound and present in serum. For this purpose, native RBCs are removed from the blood and foreign RBCs are added, antigenicity of those foreign RBCs is known.
Agglutination of RBCs confirms the presence of antibodies in blood serum.
What is the difference between the 2 types of Coombs tests?
Direct Coombs Test (DCT) / Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT)
Detection of – antibodies against RBCs bound on surface of native RBCs
Removal of – any unbound antibodies and isolation of native RBCs with antibodies bound to surface
Helps in – screening of reason for low RBC count
Indirect Coombs Test (ICT) / Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT)
Detection of – antibodies against RBCs floating in serum
Removal of – native RBCs and addition of foreign RBCs of known antigenicity
Helps in knowing blood compatibility
When do I need a Coombs test?
You may need Antiglobulin Test under the following conditions:
- If you have autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- If you are consuming drugs that induced hemolytic anemia
- For detection of Erythroblastosis Fetalis
- To check blood compatibility before blood transfusion and organ transplant
- Prenatal testing for checking compatibility between mother and child
What is the procedure of Coombs test?
A healthcare professional/ phlebotomist will sterilize the area on your arm where he/she will insert a needle to extract blood sample. He/she will extract the required amount of blood from your arm (vein). The sample is labeled correctly to avoid intermixing of samples, and transported to the lab for testing.
Is there any preparation required for Coombs test?
No, there is no preparation required for Coombs test. Fasting is not required for Coombs test.
There are certain drugs that can potentially affect the test results, let your doctor know about your medical history and medication. Your doctor will make an informed decision about what drug and medication should not be consumed before Coombs test.
What is the cost of Coombs tests in Delhi NCR?
The price of the Coombs test varies depending on the facility and the type of Coombs test being done. There are a number of good options in Delhi NCR for getting DAT or IAT tests done. The best diagnostic lab in Delhi NCR is Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre.
Coombs tests available at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre:
Coombs test (Direct) at 500 250INR
50% OFF BOOK NOW!
Coombs test (Indirect) at 500 250INR
50% OFF BOOK NOW!
Why Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is the best diagnostic lab for Coombs test?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre hold an excellent reputation and expertise in diagnostics and imaging techniques since 2001.
For Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, patients come first. Hence, the aim of Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is to provide the world’s best technology at the lowest price.
Owing to the great service to its patients, Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre are accredited by NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers), which the highest standard of quality service to patients, and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories), which shows the competency of the lab and equipment based on some national and international standards.
Pathology testing operates 24 hours- 365 days a, hence, ensuring service to the patients rounds the clock!
Test reports are 100% accurate.
Blood samples are collected in a hassle-free manner.
Report is generated within 24 hours of sample collection.
Test reports are digitally available and can be downloaded from the website.
Free Home Sample Collection service is also available, which brings the lab to the doorstep of the patient. Sample is collected aseptically from the patient’s house, and transported back to the lab for testing.
The rates of Coombs tests at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre are reasonably priced, improving the affordability of tests for public.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre also offer a discount of 50% on many tests.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is the one-stop solution for getting all kinds of diagnostic tests and imaging done!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is empanelled with various prestigious government and private organizations such as:
- ESIC
- CGHS NHA
- NCDC
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- ECHS
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- DAK
- RAILWAYS
- BSES YAMUNA/ RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- SANJAY GANDHI HOSPITAL
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- ICAR
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
- MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
For more information regarding panels, click here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Coombs tests:
What is Coombs test used for?
Coombs test is used for the detection of antibodies against RBCs in your blood or bound to the surface of RBCs itself, that cause hemolysis of RBCs, resulting in premature destruction.
What is Coombs test result?
Coombs test result is either positive or negative, as it is a qualitative test. Agglutination or clumping of blood sample is taken as positive for Coombs test.
What are the two types of Coombs test?
Coombs test has the following two types:
Direct Coombs Test (DCT)/ Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT): used to detect antibodies against RBCs bound on the surface of RBCs itself
Indirect Coombs Test (ICT)/ Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT): used to detect antibodies against RBCs in floating serum
Which diseases are diagnosed by Coombs test?
Following diseases/ conditions can be identified by Coombs test:
Erythroblastosis Fetalis at the time of pregnancy: it is called Hemolytic Disease of Fetus and Newborn (HDFN). This condition arises when the mother is Rh –ve and the fetus is Rh +ve. This is called Rh Incompatibility. Due to absence of Rh antigen in maternal RBCs, the immune system of mother treats fetal RBCs as foreign entities, and starts producing antibodies against fetal RBCs. At the time of first pregnancy, fetus is unharmed because antibodies are still being produced. But at the time of second pregnancy, sensitization has taken place and maternal antibodies start attacking fetal RBCs and cause hemolysis.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): in this condition, the immune system of host makes antibodies that attack self-RBCs. As a result of which, hemolysis occurs and the count of Red Blood Cells in blood decline, causing anemia.
Drugs- Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia (DIIHA): certain drugs such as Cephalosporin, Penicillin and its derivatives, and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), etc. have shown to induce hemolysis of Red Blood Cells and cause anemia. These drugs trigger the immune system of host to produce antibodies against self-RBCs.
Blood Compatibility during transfusions and organ transplantation: compatibility of blood is checked between the donor and the recipient before blood transfusion or organ transplantation, to avoid complications such as blood clotting inside body and rejection of graft.
Why is anti – D injection given?
Anti- D injection helps in preventing the phenomena of sensitization in case of pregnancy with mother Rh -ve and fetus Rh +ve. This prevents immune responses of mother against fetal RBCs from taking place. Hence, Erythroblastosis Fetalis is prevented.
