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Antibodies, which are an integral part of our immune system, help us in fighting germs. However, they are also susceptible to committing mistakes that can cost us dearly. At times, antibodies mistake our body’s healthy...
Introduction
Antibodies, which are an integral part of our immune system, help us in fighting germs. However, they are also susceptible to committing mistakes that can cost us dearly. At times, antibodies mistake our body’s healthy cells and begin to target them instead. So the Coombs test is to check for antibodies in our blood that assail red blood cells. It is also called an antiglobulin test or red blood cell antibody test.
Remember, red blood cells are not alike in people. Our immune system will produce antibodies if it detects ones that don't match ours. These antibodies are specifically built to target and attach to specific regions located on the outer surface of the cell. Certain types of these antibodies are related to our blood type.
Coombs tests are of two types—one is the direct test which scouts for antibodies that are stuck to red blood cells, while the indirect test tries to detect antibodies floating in serum.
Why is an Indirect Coombs Test done?
The indirect Coombs test is ordered by doctors primarily to prevent problems.
Before getting a blood transfusion, doctors will examine the blood of a person to rule out that there are no antibodies present that might cause an adverse reaction to the donated blood. This step is an important part of the "type and screen" procedure.
Pregnant women also undergo a prenatal antibody screening using an indirect Coombs test. This test studies the mother's blood to determine if any antibodies could potentially be transmitted to the unborn baby causing harm.
Why is a Direct Coombs Test ordered?
A direct Coombs test is also called a DAT and it is ordered when someone is not feeling great or exhibits symptoms that point toward some issues in the blood. This will help to understand the causes of this.
A person is in danger of getting sick when the transfused blood from the donor isn’t a good match. The immune system of the recipient will immediately recognize those other blood cells as foreign and start to produce antibodies to eliminate them despite they're meant to help.
When antibodies kill our red blood cells quicker than our body can make them it leads to a blood disease called autoimmune hemolytic anemia. One can get it because of the following:
- Disorders like lupus and leukemia
- Infections, including mononucleosis
- Certain medicines, such as penicillin
When babies have a yellowish color in their skin and eyes, it could be an indication of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). In this disease, certain antibodies from the mother's body may be attacking the red blood cells of the baby. This usually happens when the blood type gotten from the father doesn't mix well with the mother's blood type.
The procedure
For the process, a laboratory technician will use a needle to draw a small sample of blood from the vein in the patient’s hand or arm. During this process, the person may feel a small prick in the skin or may have a little bleeding or bruising in the area where the needle pierces. After that, the technician will send the patient’s blood for testing to a lab.
Both the direct and indirect Coombs tests help in detecting the presence of antibodies. These tests can be used to identify either the existence of any antibodies in general or a particular specific antibody.
Each package of donated blood must be tested properly before a blood transfusion.
Cross-matching is a specific type of Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT), often conducted before a blood transfusion. In this process, the laboratory combines the patient’s serum (which contains the antibodies) with red blood cells obtained from the donor.
Interpretation of the indirect results
When the indirect Coombs test findings are negative it is a relief, because it generally means that the person doesn't have antibodies in the serum. Hence, they:
- Can safely get a blood transfusion done from the donor
- Don't have to be wary of any trouble with the unborn baby
However, on the other hand, a positive result before a blood transfusion is not a good sign and it is a warning that the doctor needs to be careful when selecting donor blood. People who need a lot of blood transfusions are likely to develop a lot of different antibodies. So it is very difficult for them to find blood donors with blood that will work.
When there is a positive indirect Coombs test during pregnancy, it could also spell trouble and extra precautionary steps are needed to safeguard the baby.
Remember, not all antibodies identified through the test are necessarily harmful. Therefore, based on the specific aim of the test, further tests may be required to ascertain the specific antibodies present.
What to interpret from the direct results
When the direct Coombs test is positive it means a person has antibodies attached to the red blood cells, but it doesn't mainly tell you which ones or why.
Whatever may be the results of a direct Coombs test, people may go for other tests to get proper treatment.
Conclusion
When to call a doctor? A person should consult the doctor in case of developing symptoms of hemolytic anemia, such as jaundice, dizziness weakness, or confusion. They should immediately call the doctor under these conditions. An examination and certain tests can help to determine the right treatment.
It is also worth mentioning that many of the common warning signs can overlap with signs and symptoms of other illnesses and conditions. If an individual finds that something isn’t quite right, an immediate appointment with the doctor should be sought. In case you want to know more about the ICT test in pregnancy price, contact the healthcare facility or the lab in your neighborhood. They will provide you with an accurate quote for the ICT test in pregnancy price you may be looking for.
FAQs
What happens if the ICT test is positive during pregnancy?
When the test result shows an abnormal or positive outcome, it indicates that the pregnant woman has produced antibodies against the red blood cells of the fetus, resulting in sensitization. But, one should also consider that a positive Coombs test only indicates that an Rh-positive fetus has a chance of getting harmed.
What to do if ICT is negative in pregnancy?
When the ICT comes negative for the first visit, it is repeated after four weeks and if again it remains negative in the findings, a prophylactic dose of anti-D immunoglobulin is administered at 28–32 weeks of pregnancy.
What if the indirect Coombs test is positive?
When the indirect Coombs test is abnormal or positive, it means one has antibodies that will attack red blood cells that the body regards as foreign. This may suggest Erythroblastosis fetalis, incompatible blood match (when used in blood banks), etc.
When should ICT be done during pregnancy?
ICT test is done during pregnancy to detect the risk of incompatibility between mother and fetus. It is also generally done before blood donation, blood transfusion, tissue, or organ, to determine the compatibility with donated blood.
Is Coombs positive serious?
Typically, this is considered less severe compared to Rh incompatibility, which, if left untreated, can be fatal in severe cases. Generally, it leads to symptoms such as jaundice and mild anemia. It's important to remember that a positive Coombs test in the laboratory does not always mean the infant will develop high levels of bilirubin in their blood.
What does Coombs positive mean for a baby?
When a baby is Coombs positive, it means there is an excess of bilirubin in its bloodstream. In medical terms this condition is called hyperbilirubinemia. Babies with a positive Coombs test are at great risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia. It's paramount to take jaundice in newborns very seriously seeking immediate medical care.
Is Coombs disease treatable?
When a baby experiences a problematic level of jaundice, it should get treated by phototherapy, also known as light therapy. This is a non-invasive medical approach that uses a light source, typically from fluorescent, LED, or halogen bulbs, to help the baby's body in breaking down bilirubin. Phototherapy has been an effective method in managing jaundice and promoting the baby's well-being.
What happens if a mother and baby have different blood types?
When a baby's blood type is incompatible with the mother's, it can result in many complications, such as fetal anemia, immune hydrops and other related issues. The most prevalent form of blood type incompatibility is Rh disease, which is also referred to as Rh incompatibility. The Rh factor denotes a protein present on the surface of red blood cells.
What are the 2 types of Coombs tests?
There are two types of Coombs' tests: the direct Coombs' test, also known as the direct antiglobulin test, and the indirect Coombs' test. The direct Coombs test is primarily utilized to detect hemolytic anemia. On the other hand, the indirect Coombs test is used in prenatal screening for pregnant women and blood testing before transfusions.
