What is the consequence of using incompatible anticoagulants in HLA typing blood samples?

Using incompatible anticoagulants in HLA typing blood samples can lead to the degradation of DNA, which is crucial for obtaining accurate typing results. When the wrong anticoagulant is used, it can interfere with the integrity of the cellular material and the nucleic acids present in the sample. This degradation affects the quality of the DNA extracted from the blood, making it difficult to accurately analyze the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) markers necessary for matching and compatibility testing.

In HLA typing, the accuracy of the results relies on the quality of the DNA, and compromised samples can lead to false negatives or positives, ultimately impacting patient outcomes in transfusions and organ transplants. Thus, ensuring the use of compatible anticoagulants is vital for preserving DNA integrity and ensuring reliable and accurate HLA typing results.