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Laboratory Services

The laboratory services of transfusion medicine include comprehensive testing to minimize the risk of transfusion-related adverse events. Laboratory tests should be performed to determine the presence and level of reactivity of antibodies that have the potential to attack red blood cells. The doctors and paramedical staff should keep a vigil on the patient for any adverse reaction during transfusion and recommend a transfusion reaction workup in case of transfusion-induced complications.

Our Offerings

  • Direct Coombs Test (DCT) & Indirect Coombs Tests (ICT): The doctor performs the Coombs test to check for the presence of antibodies that attack the red blood cells. The direct Coombs test determines antibodies attached to red blood cells, whereas the indirect Coombs test determines the antibodies present in the serum.
  • Irregular antibody screening: Irregular antibody screening involves screening of the antibodies present in the blood of the donor that have the potential to initiate hemolysis. Irregular antibodies include all those other than those involved in the ABO system.
  • Cold antibody detection: It is done through a cold agglutinin blood test. Cold agglutinins are the antibodies that attack red blood cells. The test is performed by exposing the blood sample to different temperatures. The cold agglutinins detect antigens present on RBCs when the temperature is below normal.
  • Antibody titration: It is a method to detect the reactivity of the antibodies present in the plasma of the patient. It is performed prenatally to determine the risk of hemolytic anemia in the fetus. The test is also useful in preventing the rejection of grafts for ABO-incompatible solid organ transplants of the liver, heart, and lungs.
  • Blood group discrepancy resolution: Blood group discrepancies occur when there is a mismatch between the reaction in the forward group (red blood cells) and the reverse group (serum/plasma). It may occur due to intrinsic problems with serum or red blood cells or errors during the procedure.
  • Transfusion reaction workup: A Comprehensive workup is required when there is an adverse reaction during or after the transfusion. Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for reducing complications. The symptoms of adverse reactions due to transfusion include myalgia, fever, hypotension, dyspnea, cyanosis, rigors, coughing, headache, and nausea.