Coombs Test Direct, EDTA Whole Blood

The Direct Coombs test (DCT) is performed to detect anti-D antibodies or other antibodies attached to the red cell surface within the blood stream. This occurs in the following circumstances. When there is an Rh positive baby in the womb of a sensitized Rh negative woman, the antibodies produced in the mothers serum cross the placenta and enter the babys blood stream. They attach to the babys Rh positive red blood cells. These coated red blood cells are agglutinated and removed from the circulation quickly resulting in hemolytic disease of the new born (Erythroblastosis fetalis). When the baby is born, the babys blood or cord blood is collected and tested by the Direct Coombs test (DCT) to detect anti-D anti-bodies which are coated on the red blood cells. Drug induced red cell sensitization, Auto immune hemolytic anemia, Malignant diseases, Infections like mycoplasma pneumonia and mononucleosis are also detected by Direct Coombs test (DCT). The Direct Coombs test (DCT) may also be used to investigate hemolytic reactions to blood transfusion. If a person develops fever or other significant symptoms post transfusion which suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction, a Direct Coombs test (DCT) is done to determine if the person has developed antibodies to the transfused RBCs. If the antibody coats the transfused RBCs, then the RBCs may be destroyed (hemolyzed) or be removed from circulation quickly.