Application of micro capillary blood sampling in an anti-doping setting

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Anti-Doping Technology

Background:

• Blood collection is fundamental to anti-doping, primarily through the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
• Traditional venipuncture can cause athlete discomfort, anxiety, and potential performance impairment, especially near competitions.
• Adverse events associated with venipuncture include bruising, hematomas, syncope, and general discomfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity of micro-capillary whole blood collection using the Tasso+ device for Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) testing.
• To assess the impact of temperature-monitored cold chain shipping via air on capillary blood sample integrity.
• To compare laboratory agreement between capillary and venous blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) parameters.

Main Methods:

• Collected 58 matched capillary (Tasso+ EDTA) and venous blood samples under official doping control conditions.
• Samples were shipped via air cargo under temperature-monitored cold chain conditions to the laboratory.
• Analyzed capillary and venous samples for CBC parameters, assessing laboratory agreement.

Main Results:

• Air shipment under cool conditions did not compromise sample integrity.
• Excellent laboratory agreement was observed between capillary and venous samples for most CBC parameters, excluding platelets.
• No visible clots were identified in samples prior to analysis.

Conclusions:

• Micro capillary blood collection using devices like Tasso+ is a valid alternative to venipuncture for ABP monitoring.
• This method offers a virtually painless and athlete-friendly experience, particularly beneficial for frequent testing or pre-competition scenarios.
• Capillary blood collection supports anti-doping efforts by providing a more acceptable sample collection method for athletes.