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Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques
Published on: March 13, 2015
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Modified ARCHITECT® serologic assays enable plasma-level performance from dried blood spot samples
Vera Holzmayer1,2, Mark Anderson1,2, Nicaise Ndembi3
1Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Diagnostics Division, Abbott Park, IL 60064, USA.
Biotechniques
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Dried blood spots (DBSs) offer a viable alternative for serologic testing. DBSs demonstrated comparable performance to plasma for hepatitis B and HIV assays, enhancing diagnostic access.
Area of Science:
- Clinical diagnostics
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Dried blood spots (DBSs) are an alternative sample matrix for serologic testing.
- Evaluating DBS performance is crucial for expanding diagnostic accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the performance of specific serologic assays using DBSs.
- To compare DBS assay performance with traditional plasma-based methods.
- To determine the stability of DBS samples for diagnostic testing.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated ARCHITECT assays for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc II, HIV Ag/Ab Combo, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG II using DBSs.
- Assessed assay performance with and without modifications.
- Compared DBS assay results to plasma-based assays.
- Determined DBS sample stability.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) NEXT and HIV antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) Combo assays showed comparable sensitivity and specificity with DBSs versus plasma.
- Modified assays for HBeAg, anti-HBc II, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG II also achieved comparable performance using DBSs.
- DBS stability was confirmed for the evaluated assays.
Conclusions:
- DBSs are a suitable alternative sample input for high-throughput serologic testing.
- The use of DBSs can significantly improve population surveillance and diagnostic testing access.
- This approach holds promise for broader public health initiatives.
