Which component is NOT typically acceptable for molecular diagnostics blood collection?

Clotted blood is not typically acceptable for molecular diagnostics blood collection primarily because it can interfere with the isolation and integrity of nucleic acids. In molecular diagnostics, especially in tests that rely on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or other nucleic acid amplification methods, the purity and quality of the DNA or RNA extracted from blood samples are crucial.

When blood clots, the solidification process can lead to lysed cells or fragmented nucleic acids, which may diminish the yield and quality of the genetic material. This can complicate the analysis and potentially lead to inaccurate results. In contrast, anticoagulant-treated blood, such as blood treated with EDTA, ACD, or heparin, helps preserve the cells in a non-clotted state and maintains the integrity of the genetic material, making it suitable for molecular diagnostics applications. Such anticoagulants prevent clot formation, allowing for robust extraction and reliable downstream analyses of nucleic acids.