A woman requires a kidney transplant. Five members of her family would like to be tested to determine if they are eligible donors. Technologists use sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization methods to perform HLA typing. Which of the following anticoagulants is preferred when collecting blood from the woman and her family members?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EDTA is a chelating agent that binds to calcium ions and prevents clotting without affecting the DNA, RNA, or proteins in the sample. This makes it the preferred anticoagulant for molecular testing, such as HLA typing, because it preserves the integrity of the genetic material. Heparin can interfere with PCR amplification and should be avoided. Sodium polyanethol sulfonate is mainly used for blood cultures and may not be suitable for molecular analysis. Collecting blood samples without an anticoagulant is not recommended as it can result in clotting and potentially affect the results of the test.

A Woman Requires a Kidney Transplant