What does the indirect Coombs test help detect before a blood transfusion?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Close-up illustration of multiple human red blood cells with their characteristic disc shape, floating against a red background. — blood group The major component of human blood is the red blood cell.

Before a blood transfusion, the indirect Coombs test is used as a screening tool to detect the presence of incomplete antibodies in a recipient's serum that could react with a donor's red blood cells.12

By identifying these antibodies, medical professionals can determine if the donor blood is compatible with the recipient. This compatibility testing is vital because if a recipient's serum contains antibodies that combine with the antigens on the donor's cells, it can lead to a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which may be fatal. Along with other screening methods, the indirect Coombs test helps ensure that transfused blood is safe and suitable for the patient.2