Determination of anti-erythrocyte antibodies in the indirect Coombs test in an identification card (qualitative test) (screening) *

Indirect Coombs test or indirect antiglobulin test (AGT) is necessary to determine erythrocyte antibodies contained in blood serum. Up to the present Coombs test is widely used in laboratorial practice to diagnose immunopathological conditions, in particular when suspecting hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), autoimmune hemolytic anaemia characterized by the destruction of erythrocytes as a result of linking cell membrane with antibodies and (or) components of the complement system. Indirect Coombs test remains to be the best method of individual selection of transfusion media as it allows to precisely determine individual compatibility of donor and recipient according to erythrocytic antigens. Extra performance of direct antiglobulin test for autoantibodies is recommended upon examination of all recipients of organs and tissues in pretransplantation period and recipients of hemopoietic stem cells as well and after transplantation. Besides immunohematology and transfusiology antiglobulin tests are widely used in diagnosing number of pathological conditions: during hematological diseases including lymphoproliferative, systemic disease of connective tissue, Sjogren disease, chronic active hepatitis and etc.