Factors associated with damage to nucleic acids:
(1) prolonged contact with an acidic decalcification agent
(2) “strong” acid
(3) high concentration of acid
For a bone marrow biopsy with no cortical bone decalcification can often be achieved after a short period with a weak acid and so sometimes can be performed without significantly altering nucleic acid contact. However, this has to done under controlled conditions.
The preferred decalcification agent is EDTA. However, this is a slower method than the use of acids.
Ideally a histology laboratory should:
(1) Try various procedures and select the method that is least disruptive.
(2) Process a control of known reactivity at the same time.
(3) Keep part of the simple back just in case something goes wrong.
