Coombs test

The Coombs Test (also Coombs' Test) is a blood test used to determine whether there are red blood cell antibodies.

Two types of the test exist:

1. Indirect Coombs test - also known as the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT). This is used in the matching of blood products.
2. Direct Coombs test - also known as the direct antiglobulin test (DAT).

The DAT is used to determine if the patient has immune mediated hemolysis (antibody-mediated destruction of red blood cells), as occurs in Rh disease.

External Links

• Coombs Testing
• Coombs’ test - direct - Medlineplus.org
• Coombs’ test - indirect - Medlineplus.org