Coombs Test – Indirect (ICT)

Description

The Indirect Coombs Test (ICT), also known as the Indirect Antiglobulin Test, is a blood test used to detect antibodies in the serum that are capable of binding to red blood cells. This test is crucial in blood banking for cross-matching blood before transfusions and in prenatal testing to detect maternal antibodies that might affect the fetus. It’s also used in diagnosing certain blood disorders and autoimmune conditions. The test involves mixing the patient’s serum with known red blood cells and then adding an antiglobulin reagent. Agglutination indicates the presence of antibodies in the serum capable of binding to red blood cells.