indirect Coombs’ test [Robert Coombs, British immunologist 1921—2006] , a blood test used during blood compatibility crossmatching to detect the presence of circulating antibodies against red blood cells. The major purpose of this test is to determine whether the patient has serum antibodies (besides the major ABO/Rh system) to red blood cells that he or she might receive by blood transfusion. Compare direct Coombs’ test.
