Sometimes, especially in older adults, a Coombs test will have an abnormal result even without any other disease or risk factors. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB).nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin), an antibiotic.infection with mycoplasma, a type of bacteria that many antibiotics can’t killĭrug toxicity may cause you to have antibodies on red blood cells.Sometimes, an infection can cause antibodies to attach to red blood cells. A pregnant person is often given an indirect Coombs test to check for antibodies before labor during prenatal care. This condition must be watched carefully - it can result in the death of the child and birthing parent. Infants with erythroblastosis fetalis may have very high bilirubin levels in their blood, which leads to jaundice. It’s also called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).

The birthing parent’s immune system attacks the baby’s blood during labor. Erythroblastosis fetalisĮrythroblastosis fetalis occurs when the infant and birthing parent have different blood types, like Rh factor positive or negative or ABO type differences.

This can show up in a Coombs test as early as 2 days after the transfusion.Īn indirect Coombs test prior to transfusion can help avoid this. Your immune system may attack donated blood if the blood donor type is not an appropriate match. antiphosholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome), a condition that causes your blot to clot more easily.systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common type of lupus.chronic lymphocytic leukemia and some other leukemias.autoimmune hemolytic anemia, when your immune system reacts to your red blood cells.Conditions that may lead to a positive direct Coombs test include: Hemolysis is often caused by an autoimmune disorder. There are several reasons a direct Coombs test may produce a positive result. If a doctor suspects hemolysis, a positive direct Coombs test may confirm the diagnosis. This means you may a condition that causes your immune system to destroy red blood cells, called hemolysis.Ī positive test doesn’t always mean that hemolysis is occurring.

Your doctor may suggest other tests.Ī positive direct Coombs test means that you have antibodies attached to your red blood cells. This means that your symptoms are likely due to another cause. What do my direct Coombs test results mean?Ī negative direct Coombs test means that antibodies are probably not attached to your red blood cells.