What is indicated by a positive DAT using anti-IgG?

What is indicated by a positive DAT using anti-IgG?

• A. Antibodies are absent from patient cells
• B. Antibodies are coating the patient cells
• C. Patient cells are hemolyzed
• D. There are no red cell antibodies present

Answer: (B)

A positive Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) using anti-IgG indicates that antibodies are coating the patient cells. The DAT is performed to detect the presence of antibodies bound to the surface of a patient's red blood cells. When anti-IgG is used and gives a positive result, it signifies that IgG antibodies are attached to the patient's red cells, which could be due to a variety of reasons such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia or reactions from transfusions. The presence of these antibodies can actively affect the patient's health, as they may lead to hemolysis or other complications. Understanding the implications of a positive DAT is crucial in diagnosing conditions that lead to the destruction of red blood cells. The other options do not accurately capture the significance of a positive DAT result. For instance, if antibodies were absent from patient cells, the DAT would be negative. Hemolysis may occur due to the presence of these antibodies, but a positive DAT does not confirm that hemolysis has already taken place—it merely indicates the coating of cells. Lastly, a positive DAT indicates that red cell antibodies are indeed present, contradicting the assertion of no antibodies being present.

A positive Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) using anti-IgG indicates that antibodies are coating the patient cells. The DAT is performed to detect the presence of antibodies bound to the surface of a patient's red blood cells. When anti-IgG is used and gives a positive result, it signifies that IgG antibodies are attached to the patient's red cells, which could be due to a variety of reasons such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia or reactions from transfusions.

The presence of these antibodies can actively affect the patient's health, as they may lead to hemolysis or other complications. Understanding the implications of a positive DAT is crucial in diagnosing conditions that lead to the destruction of red blood cells.

The other options do not accurately capture the significance of a positive DAT result. For instance, if antibodies were absent from patient cells, the DAT would be negative. Hemolysis may occur due to the presence of these antibodies, but a positive DAT does not confirm that hemolysis has already taken place—it merely indicates the coating of cells. Lastly, a positive DAT indicates that red cell antibodies are indeed present, contradicting the assertion of no antibodies being present.