Commercial enzyme immunoassay adapted for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in dried blood spots.
BACKGROUND
Dried blood spots (DBS) provide a convenient method for blood sample collection in many settings where the prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasing. Consequently, HCV assays are required that produce reliable results using samples derived from DBS.


OBJECTIVE
The optimum buffer for the elution of samples from DBS was selected and the performance of a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was evaluated using these DBS eluates and paired plasma samples.


RESULTS
DBS with paired plasma samples were compared using this modified commercial EIA, which was found to have an estimated sensitivity and specificity of approximately 100% for detecting anti-HCV antibodies in DBS.


CONCLUSIONS
A DBS-based assay for the detection of antibodies to HCV will prove valuable for collecting epidemiological data in the field or in under resourced settings.
Croom
Hayley A
HA
National Serology Reference Laboratory, 4th Floor, Healy Building, 41 Victoria Parade, Melbourne, Vic. 3065, Australia.
Richards
Kim M
KM
Best
Susan J
SJ
Francis
Barbara H
BH
Johnson
Elizabeth I M
EI
Dax
Elizabeth M
EM
Wilson
Kim M
KM
D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D002021:Buffers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002021:Buffers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies