INTEREST OF FLOW-CYTOMETRY IN THE DETECTI ON OF ERYTHROCYTE AUTOANTIBODIES

Coombs test and flow cytometry have been compared in terms of specific ity and sensibility in a population of hospitalized patients, for whom a Coombs test had been required. The Coombs test seems more sensible than flow cytometry to detect red cell-bound IgG. For a given patient and over the time, flow cytometry seems better correlated with the sev erity of haemolysis if erythrocytes are strongly sensitized by IgG. Th e results of flow cytometric analysis, in percentage of sensitized ery throcytes, do not allow to define a sensibilization threshold for haem olysis prediction. Flow cytometric analysis would be more sensible tha n Coombs test in the detection of red cell-bound C3d, but these cases are not associated with autoimmune haemolytic anemia. Direct Coombs te st should remain the diagnostic test of autoimmune haemolytic anemia.