Which test is used to identify autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

Which test is used to identify autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

• A. Coombs Test
• B. Schilling Test
• C. Bone marrow biopsy
• D. RBC morphology

Answer: (A)

The key idea is detecting antibodies or complement attached to red blood cells, which signals autoimmune targeting. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system marks red cells for destruction, so a test that shows these antibodies on the cell surface confirms the diagnosis. The direct Coombs test does this by adding anti-human globulin to the patient’s washed red cells; if antibodies or complement are bound to the cells, they agglutinate, indicating AIHA. The other options aren’t for identifying autoimmune hemolysis: the Schilling test assesses vitamin B12 absorption, a bone marrow biopsy looks at marrow tissue, and RBC morphology by itself shows cell shape but not the autoimmune cause.

The key idea is detecting antibodies or complement attached to red blood cells, which signals autoimmune targeting. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system marks red cells for destruction, so a test that shows these antibodies on the cell surface confirms the diagnosis. The direct Coombs test does this by adding anti-human globulin to the patient’s washed red cells; if antibodies or complement are bound to the cells, they agglutinate, indicating AIHA. The other options aren’t for identifying autoimmune hemolysis: the Schilling test assesses vitamin B12 absorption, a bone marrow biopsy looks at marrow tissue, and RBC morphology by itself shows cell shape but not the autoimmune cause.