What is a potential complication of transporting specimens at incorrect temperatures?

Transporting specimens at incorrect temperatures can lead to protein degradation or precipitation. Proteins, including antibodies and antigens in serum or plasma, are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. When specimens are exposed to temperatures outside of the recommended storage range, structural integrity can be compromised, leading to denaturation or aggregation of proteins. This degradation can adversely affect the analytical measurements during testing, resulting in inaccurate or misleading results.

In some cases, temperature extremes can also precipitate proteins, causing them to aggregate and form visible complexes or lead to the formation of fibrin clots. Such changes not only impact the stability of the sample but also the overall functionality of proteins, which is crucial for accurate serological assays or other analyses.

While other options like increased levels of antibodies, contamination, or indeterminate test results may occur under certain conditions, they are not direct consequences of incorrect temperature management for specimen transport. The most immediate and measurable impact of temperature abuse in the handling of specimens is indeed the degradation or precipitation of proteins.