Which tube contains ACD and is used for HLA B27 genetic marker testing and DNA matching?

Which tube contains ACD and is used for HLA B27 genetic marker testing and DNA matching?

• A. Canary Yellow Tube — ACD
• B. Gray Tube — Na Fluoride/K Oxalate
• C. Lt Blue Tube — Na Citrate
• D. SPS Tube — Blood Cultures

Answer: (A)

Genetic marker testing and DNA matching require high-quality DNA from the blood, so the tube chosen should preserve leukocytes and nucleic acids. The canary yellow tube containing acid-citrate-dextrose is designed for this purpose. ACD as an anticoagulant helps keep cells intact and stabilizes DNA, which is essential for reliable extraction and downstream HLA typing (such as HLA B27) and DNA matching. The other tubes are used for different tests and do not provide the same DNA-preserving environment. A gray-top tube with fluoride/oxalate is for glucose testing and glycolysis inhibition, a light blue top tube with sodium citrate is for coagulation studies, and an SPS tube is used for blood cultures. None of these offer the DNA preservation needed for genetic marker testing.

Genetic marker testing and DNA matching require high-quality DNA from the blood, so the tube chosen should preserve leukocytes and nucleic acids. The canary yellow tube containing acid-citrate-dextrose is designed for this purpose. ACD as an anticoagulant helps keep cells intact and stabilizes DNA, which is essential for reliable extraction and downstream HLA typing (such as HLA B27) and DNA matching.

The other tubes are used for different tests and do not provide the same DNA-preserving environment. A gray-top tube with fluoride/oxalate is for glucose testing and glycolysis inhibition, a light blue top tube with sodium citrate is for coagulation studies, and an SPS tube is used for blood cultures. None of these offer the DNA preservation needed for genetic marker testing.