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Published on: August 6, 2016
Evaluation of blood collection filter papers for HIV-1 DNA PCR
Silvina Masciotra1, Samoel Khamadi, Ebi Bilé
1International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
Insights
New blood collection cards, Ahlstrom 226 and Munktell TFN, are effective for dried blood spot (DBS) HIV-1 DNA detection in infants. These cards perform comparably to Whatman 903, offering viable alternatives for resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- Dried blood spot (DBS) collection on Whatman 903 cards is established for early infant HIV-1 DNA detection in resource-limited settings (RLS).
- The need for alternative blood collection devices is increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the qualitative detection of HIV-1 DNA from DBS prepared on three commercially available blood collection cards.
- To assess the performance of alternative DBS cards in RLS.
Main Methods:
- DBS were prepared on Ahlstrom grade 226, Munktell TFN, and Whatman 903 cards.
- Samples were stored under various conditions (ambient, 37°C, -20°C) and tested at different time points using PCR-based assays.
- Performance was evaluated after international shipment and long-term storage.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 DNA was detected equally well across all three card types.
- Detection efficacy was consistent regardless of storage conditions or PCR assay used.
Conclusions:
- Ahlstrom 226 and Munktell TFN papers demonstrate comparable performance to Whatman 903 for HIV-1 DNA detection.
- These alternative cards can be considered for HIV-1 testing in resource-limited settings.
Background:
The collection of dried blood spots (DBS) on Whatman 903 cards has facilitated for years the detection of HIV-1 in infants by DNA PCR as early as 4-6 weeks after birth in resource-limited settings (RLS), but alternate blood collection devices are proving to be necessary.
Objectives:
The qualitative detection of HIV-1 DNA by PCR from DBS prepared on three commercially available blood collection cards was evaluated at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in four laboratories in Africa.
Study Design:
DBS were prepared on Ahlstrom grade 226, Munktell TFN and Whatman 903, and stored under a variety of conditions. DBS were stored at ambient temperature (RT), 37°C with high humidity, and -20°C for varying lengths of time. The presence of HIV-1 DNA was tested using Roche Amplicor HIV-1 DNA (v 1.5) weekly for 4 weeks and at weeks 8 and 12 (RT and 37°C), at weeks 4, 8, and 18 (-20°C) of storage. DBS specimens were also tested after international shipment at RT. In addition, after nearly 3 years storage at -20°C, DBS were also evaluated independently using the COBAS Ampliprep/TaqMan HIV-1 Qual and Abbott RealTime HIV-1 Qualitative tests.
Results:
HIV-1 DNA was detected equally well on the three blood collection cards regardless of storage conditions and PCR assay.
Conclusions:
Ahlstrom 226 and Munktell TFN papers were comparable to Whatman 903 for HIV-1 DNA detection and may be considered as optional blood collection devices in resource-limited countries.
