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Updated: May 24, 2026
Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques
Published on: March 13, 2015
Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in dried blood spots
Susan Bennett1, Rory N Gunson, Georgina E McAllister
1West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK. susan.bennett@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Insights
Dried blood spot (DBS) testing offers a sensitive and stable method for detecting Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA. This approach may improve HCV screening in high-risk populations, increasing access to vital treatment.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection affects millions globally, with high prevalence in injecting drug users (IDUs).
- Traditional HCV screening methods using blood face challenges in high-risk groups due to poor venous access.
- Developing alternative, accessible screening methods is crucial for effective HCV control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dried blood spot (DBS) as a viable alternative sample type for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA detection.
- To assess the sensitivity, specificity, and stability of HCV RNA detection in DBS samples.
Main Methods:
- Determined the endpoint detection limit, inter-assay, and intra-assay variability for HCV RNA in DBS.
- Compared the DBS method against a routine frontline assay using paired DBS and blood samples.
- Assessed the stability of HCV RNA in DBS under various storage temperatures and durations.
Main Results:
- The DBS method demonstrated an endpoint detection limit of 250 IU/ml, with high precision and robustness.
- Achieved 100% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity for HCV RNA detection in DBS.
- HCV RNA in DBS remained stable for up to 1 year across different storage temperatures.
Conclusions:
- A sensitive, stable, and precise method for detecting HCV RNA in DBS was successfully developed.
- DBS sampling presents a promising strategy to enhance HCV testing uptake in high-risk populations.
- Improved HCV testing accessibility via DBS can lead to increased treatment initiation and better health outcomes.
Background:
An estimated 130-170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HCV.(1) In Europe the highest prevalence of HCV infections is in the IDU population.(2) As traditional HCV screening relies on the detection of HCV antibody or HCV RNA in blood, screening in high-risk groups such as IDU is difficult due to poor venous access caused by damaged veins.
Objectives:
In this study DBS was evaluated as an alternative sample type to blood for the detection of HCV RNA.
Study Design:
The endpoint detection limit, inter-assay and intra-assay variability of the method were determined. The DBS method was compared to our routine frontline assay using a panel of paired DBS and blood samples. The effect of different storage temperatures and length of storage time on the stability of HCV RNA in DBS was also assessed.
Results:
The endpoint detection limit of the method based on results from mock DBS was 250 IU/ml. The method was shown to be precise and robust. The sensitivity and specificity of the method was found to be 100% and 95.8%, respectively. No significant variation in the stability of HCV RNA in DBS over a 1 year period at a range of different temperatures was observed.
Conclusions:
A sensitive and stable method was developed for the detection of HCV RNA in DBS. Screening high-risk populations using DBS as a sample type may improve uptake of HCV testing by increasing opportunity for patients to be tested and consequently increasing access to treatment.
