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Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

The idea of collecting blood on a paper card and subsequently using the dried blood spots (DBS) for diagnostic purposes originated a century ago. Since ...

University of Duisburg-Essen

Nowadays, dried blood spots (DBS) are primarily used to obtain diagnostic access to risk collectives such as intravenous drug users, who are prone to infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Before DBS analyses can be used in this diagnostic context, however, a comprehensive evaluation of its performance characteristics must be conducted. To the best of our knowledge, the current study presents for the first time such essential data for the Abbott ARCHITECT system, which is currently the worldwide leading platform in this field of infection diagnostics.

Detection of infections with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus by analyses of dried blood spots--performance characteristics of the ARCHITECT system and two commercial assays for nucleic acid amplification.

People who inject drugs are at high risk for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. HTLV was reported by neighboring countries to be prevalent in this population, but the situation for Germany is unclear. To generate seroprevalence and related behavioural data and to enhance prevention efforts against these infections for drug users in Germany, a multicentre sero- and behavioural survey was initiated. People who inject drugs are not well reached by services for testing and counselling for blood-borne infections in Germany. An interventional part of the study is intended to prove feasibility and acceptance of testing and counselling in low-threshold drop-in settings.

Oumaima Stambouli

Institute of Virology,
National Reference Centre for Hepatitis C,
Essen University Hospital,
Institute of Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis C, Essen University Hospital

University of Duisburg-Essen

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Oumaima Stambouli

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University of Duisburg-Essen

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Institute of Virology,
National Reference Centre for Hepatitis C,
Essen University Hospital,
Institute of Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis C, Essen University Hospital