A positive Coombs test indicates which condition?

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Multiple Choice

A positive Coombs test indicates which condition?

The test is about detecting antibodies or complement bound to red blood cells, which signals immune-mediated destruction of those cells. A positive Coombs test means there are antibodies (or complement) on the surface of red blood cells, pointing to autoimmune hemolytic anemia, where the body's immune system targets its own red cells for destruction. This can involve IgG-coated cells (warm AIHA) or complement-coated cells (cold AIHA). In contrast, aplastic anemia stems from bone marrow failure and isn’t driven by antibodies against red cells, so the Coombs test is negative. Iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia are due to nutritional or maturation defects rather than immune targeting of red cells, so they also would not produce a positive Coombs test.

The test is about detecting antibodies or complement bound to red blood cells, which signals immune-mediated destruction of those cells. A positive Coombs test means there are antibodies (or complement) on the surface of red blood cells, pointing to autoimmune hemolytic anemia, where the body's immune system targets its own red cells for destruction. This can involve IgG-coated cells (warm AIHA) or complement-coated cells (cold AIHA). In contrast, aplastic anemia stems from bone marrow failure and isn’t driven by antibodies against red cells, so the Coombs test is negative. Iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia are due to nutritional or maturation defects rather than immune targeting of red cells, so they also would not produce a positive Coombs test.

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