Proof of concept - Detection of erythrocyte-bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) in an anemic foal using flow cytometry

Aim of the study Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a rare but potentially lethal disease in horses. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT, "Coombs' test") is used to detect erythrocyte-bound antibodies (EBA) or complement proteins on erythrocytes indicative of IMHA. Typically, well plate-based agglutination assays are used. Hypothetically, EBA can also be detected via flow cytometry. The aim of the study was to test the practical feasibility of detecting EBA in horse samples by flow cytometric assay as possible tool for routine diagnostics.