Medical Conditions - Direct Coombs Test

Direct Coombs test is an antiglobulin test that detects antibodies that are attached to the surface of the red blood cells. This procedure is used for testing autoimmune hemolytic anemia. In this procedure, the plasma and unbound antibodies are removed or washed out from the blood sample and incubated with Coombs reagent or anti-human globulin. In the case of a positive test, agglutination of the red cells indicates that the antibodies or complement proteins are bound to the red cells' surface, causing their destruction.