Dried blood spots (DBS): a valuable tool for HIV surveillance in developing/tropical countries

Int J STD AIDS. 2002 Jan;13(1):25-8. doi: 10.1258/0956462021924578.

Abstract

Dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been used as a practical method of sample collection in sero-surveillance studies of numerous diseases. DBS may be particularly useful for HIV screening in remote areas, in which unrefrigerated transfer time to a laboratory may take a number of days. In this study, we evaluate the ability to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 antibodies from DBS that have been subjected to a tropical climate in southern India for 6 days. DBS were prepared from blood samples of 59 known HIV-positive individuals and 30 known HIV-negative individuals. ELISA and Western blot results from DBS that were subjected to a mean temperature of 35.8 degrees C and humidity of 73% for 6 days had a sensitivity of 100% and 92%, respectively, and a specificity of 100% and 100%, respectively. Based on these findings, we conclude that DBS sampling could serve as a cost-effective and convenient tool for widespread HIV sero-surveillance in remote areas within tropical countries.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / methods*
  • Blood Specimen Collection
  • Blotting, Western
  • Developing Countries
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • HIV Antibodies / blood*
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • India
  • Population Surveillance
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Tropical Climate

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies