Dry Blood Spots As Alternative To Conventional Serum Samples In Diagnosting Some Viral Infections

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to validate the utility of dried blood spot ( DBS) samples for diagnosting HBV infection in comparison with the conventional serum samples. Pair-matched blood samples obtained from six HBsAg positive and four HBsAg negative persons by two ways; venipuncture and fingerstick by lancet and collect blood drops on filter papers (Zelpa type). Blood spots left to dry for two hours on flat bench then placed in nylon bag with dessicant to reduce humidity and stored in the refrigerator for one week. Before examination, blood spots were removed from filter papers and placed in tubes containing phosphate-buffered saline plus tween 80 and left overnight. ELISA for HBsAg screening was applied on sera and blood spot samples. Statistical analysis was done using pearson correlation test to test the optical densities of samples.statistical analysis showed no significant differences between serum and DBS samples and there is a strong linear correlation between the two types of samples. Dried blood spots can be used as successful alternative for serum samples in diagnosing certain viral diseases.