title: Dried blood spots collected on filter paper: an international resource for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type-1.
abstract: The collection of dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper provides a powerful approach for the development of large-scale, population-based screening programs. DBS methods are particularly valuable in developing countries and isolated rural regions where resources are limited. Large numbers of field specimens can be economically collected and shipped to centralized reference laboratories for genetic and (or) serological analysis. Alternatively, the dried blood can be stored and used as an archival resource to rapidly establish the frequency and distribution of newly recognized mutations, confirm patient identity or track the origins and emergence of newly identified pathogens. In this report, we describe how PCR-based technologies are beginning to interface with international screening programmes for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In particular, we review recent progress using DBS specimens to resolve the HIV-1 infection status of neonates, monitor the genetic evolution of HIV-1 during early infancy and establish a sentinel surveillance system for the systematic monitoring of HIV-1 genetic variation in Asia.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Saint Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cassol
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Weniger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lapointe
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Babu
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D017931:DNA Primers; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009154:Mutation; D010209:Paper; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017421:Sequence Analysis; D015215:Zidovudine
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D017931:DNA Primers; D015215:Zidovudine