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Global Health & Medicine Dec 2021In Japan, HIV testing has been offered anonymously and free-of-charge at local public health centers, together with pre- and post-test counseling since 1993. Since then,...
In Japan, HIV testing has been offered anonymously and free-of-charge at local public health centers, together with pre- and post-test counseling since 1993. Since then, the number of HIV tests increased steadily to reach a peak in 2008 but has since decreased by 30% during the last decade. The number of tests further decreased in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and steeply by 50% this year compared with the previous year, mostly due to a shift in the workload at these centers to COVID-19-related services. To deal with this decline and thinking beyond the current pandemic, more options for HIV testing are needed, such as self-testing/postal delivery of dried blood spot specimen, a method that is yet to be approved in Japan, in addition to the conventional plasma/serum-based HIV testing.
PubMed: 35036615
DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2021.01103 -
Pediatrics International : Official... Jan 2022Newborn screening of inborn errors of metabolism using tandem mass spectrometry has become a public health strategy in many developed countries. Retrospective analyses...
BACKGROUND
Newborn screening of inborn errors of metabolism using tandem mass spectrometry has become a public health strategy in many developed countries. Retrospective analyses using stored dried blood specimens have been limited, mainly due to a lack of biochemical information on the long-term stability of acylcarnitines and amino acids in stored specimens. We studied the characteristic profiles of the stability of amino acid, free carnitine, and acyl carnitines in dried blood specimens stored in a refrigerator after newborn screening.
METHODS
Dried blood specimens from 198 healthy newborns, which had been stored in a refrigerator at 5 °C after newborn screening, were prospectively subjected to tandem mass spectrometry analyses after 1, 3, 6 months, 1 and 2 years of storage. We also retrospectively re-analyzed the stored samples from 90 newborns, which had been analyzed and stored at 5 °C for 4 years.
RESULTS
We found that proline (Pro) and tyrosine (Tyr) were stable for 2 years, and that alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), and phenylalanine (Phe) decayed with linear regression. The C0 increased during the time-course of 2 years, whereas most acylcarnitines gradually decayed and some showed a linear correlation. The retrospective analysis of samples stored for 4 years revealed that Ala, Phe, Pro and Tyr were almost stable, leucine (Leu), valine (Val) decayed with linear regression, C0 increased, and C10, C12, C14, C14:1, C16, C18, C18:1 decreased, while maintaining a linear correlation.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggested that some metabolic parameters from refrigerator-stored dried blood specimens were applicable for the detection of inborn errors of metabolism.
Topics: Amino Acids; Carnitine; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neonatal Screening; Retrospective Studies; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 34817917
DOI: 10.1111/ped.15072 -
Bioanalysis Sep 2023A sensitive and selective method for the determination of PF-07059013 in dried blood collected by Mitra™ tips was developed and qualified from 50 to 50,000 ng/ml.... (Review)
Review
A sensitive and selective method for the determination of PF-07059013 in dried blood collected by Mitra™ tips was developed and qualified from 50 to 50,000 ng/ml. PF-07059013 is isolated from 10 μl of human dried blood by extraction with methanol and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. In addition to routine validation elements, impact of hematocrit and Mitra tip's lot-to-lot variation on assay accuracy were evaluated. The qualified method was used in one clinical study with excellent performance. Correlation coefficient between blood concentrations obtained from liquid-incurred blood samples and dried-incurred blood samples is 0.95. NCT04323124 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Topics: Humans; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Specimen Handling; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Hematocrit
PubMed: 37584365
DOI: 10.4155/bio-2023-0066 -
Bioanalysis Feb 2019
Topics: Blood Specimen Collection; Doping in Sports; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Substance Abuse Detection
PubMed: 30663332
DOI: 10.4155/bio-2018-0290 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022To improve the storage and transport of clinical specimens for the diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) infections in resource-limited settings, we have evaluated...
Evaluation of Dried Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Filter Paper Spots for Storing and Transporting Clinical Material for the Molecular Diagnosis of Invasive Meningococcal Disease.
To improve the storage and transport of clinical specimens for the diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) infections in resource-limited settings, we have evaluated the performance of dried blood spot (DBS) and dried cerebrospinal fluid spot (DCS) assays. DBS and DCS were prepared on filter paper from liquid specimens previously tested for Nm in the United Kingdom. Nm was detected and genogrouped by real-time PCR performed on crude genomic DNA extracted from the DBS (n = 226) and DCS (n = 226) specimens. Targeted whole-genome sequencing was performed on a subset of specimens, DBS (n = 4) and DCS (n = 6). The overall agreement between the analysis of liquid and dried specimens was (94.2%; 95% CI 90.8−96.7) for blood and (96.4%; 95% CI 93.5−98.0) for cerebrospinal fluid. Relative to liquid specimens as the reference, the DBS and DCS assays had sensitivities of (89.1%; 95% CI 82.7−93.8) and (94.2%; 95% CI 88.9−97.5), respectively, and both assays had specificities above 98%. A genogroup was identified by dried specimen analysis for 81.9% of the confirmed meningococcal infections. Near full-length Nm genome sequences (>86%) were obtained for all ten specimens tested which allowed determination of the sequence type, clonal complex, presence of antimicrobial resistance and other meningococcal genotyping. Dried blood and CSF filter spot assays offer a practical alternative to liquid specimens for the molecular and genomic characterisation of invasive meningococcal diseases in low-resource settings.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; DNA; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis
PubMed: 36233182
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911879 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2020Blood collected and dried on a paper card - dried blood spot (DBS) - knows a growing interest as a sampling method that can be performed outside care facilities by... (Review)
Review
Blood collected and dried on a paper card - dried blood spot (DBS) - knows a growing interest as a sampling method that can be performed outside care facilities by capillary puncture, and transported in a simple and safe manner by mail. The benefits of this method for blood collection and transport has recently led the World Health Organization to recommend DBS for HIV and hepatitis B and C diagnosis. The clinical utility of DBS sampling to improve diagnostics and care of HIV and hepatitis B and C infection in hard to reach populations, key populations and people living in low-income settings was highlighted. Literature about usefulness of DBS specimens in the therapeutic cascade of care - screening, confirmation, quantification of nucleic acids, and resistance genotyping -, was reviewed. DBS samples are suitable for testing antibodies, antigens, or nucleic acids using most laboratory methods. Good sensibility and specificity have been reported for infant HIV diagnosis and diagnosis of hepatitis B and C. The performance of HIV RNA testing on DBS to identified virological failure on antiretroviral therapy is also high but not optimal because of the dilution of dried blood in the elution buffer, reducing the analytical sensitivity, and because of the contamination by intracellular HIV DNA. Standardized protocols are needed for inter-laboratory comparisons, and manufacturers should pursue regulatory approval for diagnostics using DBS specimens. Despite these limitations, DBS sampling is a clinically relevant tool to improve access to infectious disease diagnosis worldwide.
PubMed: 32210946
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00373 -
Botanical Studies Jul 2021Hedychium gardnerianum Sheph. ex Ker Gawl. is one of the 100 world's worst invasive alien species and the research target in areas as diverse as biological control,... (Review)
Review
Hedychium gardnerianum Sheph. ex Ker Gawl. is one of the 100 world's worst invasive alien species and the research target in areas as diverse as biological control, natural fibres uses, taxonomy or the biological activity of its compounds. This review aimed to clarify the taxonomic status and the native range of H. gardnerianum and bring accuracy to the history of its introduction and escape from cultivation through the analysis of the increasing number of accessible digitalized dry specimens and grey literature. The analysis of the available information allowed to conclude that: (a) Hedychium gardnerianum is a validly published name, the authority of the name is Sheph. ex Ker Gawl., the species holotype is the illustration published along with the species name, and the Natural History Museum BM000574691 specimen collected in 1815 is the first dried specimen of H. gardnerianum; (b) This species is native to the Central and Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northeast India and North Myanmar; (c) The species was cultivated at Cambridge Botanical Garden since 1818 and the first known herbarium specimen collected in Europe dates back to 1821; (d) Kathmandu (Nepal) and Khasi Hills (India) specimens are considered two varieties of the same species and the BM000574691 specimen is the lectotype of H. gardnerianum var. speciosum; (e) Specimens, references, and/or pictures support that H. gardnerianum escaped from cultivation at Galicia (Spain), Azores archipelago, Madeira, Tenerife, Cuba, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, Ascension, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Réunion, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and Vietnam; and (f) H. gardnerianum is a serious pest in Azores, Madeira, Jamaica, Réunion, New Zealand and Hawaii and continues to expand its distribution area in South and Central America, Australia and Southern Africa. This review presents linear raw information compiled with precision, allowing the world databases updating their data but also gives the most detailed information possible to each country/region identifying new regions of concern and updating the invasiveness status in each region.
PubMed: 34292423
DOI: 10.1186/s40529-021-00318-5 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Aug 2018There is increasing interest in using dried blood spot (DBS) cards to extend the reach of global health and disease surveillance programs to hard-to-reach populations.... (Review)
Review
There is increasing interest in using dried blood spot (DBS) cards to extend the reach of global health and disease surveillance programs to hard-to-reach populations. Conceptually, DBS offers a cost-effective solution for multiple use cases by simplifying logistics for collecting, preserving, and transporting blood specimens in settings with minimal infrastructure. This review describes methods to determine both the reliability of DBS-based bioanalysis for a defined use case and the optimal conditions that minimize pre-analytical sources of data variability. Examples by the newborn screening, drug development, and global health communities are provided in this review of published literature. Sources of variability are linked in most cases, emphasizing the importance of field-to-laboratory standard operating procedures that are evidence based and consider both stability and efficiency of recovery for a specified analyte in defining the type of DBS card, accessories, handling procedures, and storage conditions. Also included in this review are reports where DBS was determined to not be feasible because of technology limitations or physiological properties of a targeted analyte.
Topics: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Drug Development; Global Health; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neonatal Screening; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 29968557
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0889 -
Journal of Viral Hepatitis Apr 2015The entry of new all-oral direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C provides an opportunity to scale up HCV care in low- and middle-income countries. In HIV, use... (Review)
Review
The entry of new all-oral direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C provides an opportunity to scale up HCV care in low- and middle-income countries. In HIV, use of dried blood spots (DBS) has facilitated the diagnosis and management of HIV in resource-poor settings. DBS may be used in a similar way to facilitate diagnosis and management of HCV. Here, we present a systematic review of the literature of DBS for HCV RNA detection and genotyping. Using an a priori review protocol, three databases were searched for studies published up to August 2013 that reported the use of dried blood and serum spots in genotyping, detection and measurement of HCV RNA, as well as the rate of degradation of HCV RNA when stored in DBS at room temperature. Nine papers were eligible for inclusion; eight studied DBS and one dried serum. Two studies measured concordance between genotype and subtype determined by DBS and whole plasma and both found 100% concordance. Four studies measured endpoint detection limits of HCV RNA-positive samples by DBS and found positive predictive values of 100% down to 250, 334, 2500 and 24160 IU/mL. Two studies found deterioration of HCV RNA in DBS samples stored at room temperature, while two others failed to detect such deterioration. These results support the potential use of DBS for genotyping and HCV RNA detection. Studies of the use of DBS for HCV RNA viral load measurement and of the rate of degradation of HCV RNA when stored in DBS at ambient temperatures remain inconclusive.
Topics: Blood; Desiccation; Genotyping Techniques; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Humans; RNA, Viral; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 25367722
DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12345 -
Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone... 2015Autologous bone, for its osteoconductive, osteoinductive and osteogenetic properties, has been considered to be the gold standard for maxillary sinus augmentation... (Review)
Review
Autologous bone, for its osteoconductive, osteoinductive and osteogenetic properties, has been considered to be the gold standard for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. Autograft procedures bring also some disadvantages: sometimes the limited amount of available intraoral bone makes necessary to obtain bone from an extraoral site, and this carries an associated morbidity. To overcome this problem we started using homologous freeze-dried bone in maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. This bone is industrially processed with γ-irradiation to eliminate its disease transmission potential and it's considered safe, but this treatment also eliminates the osteoinductive and osteogenetic properties, making it just an inert scaffold for regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells are successfully used in and orthopedic surgery for their amplification potential of healing mechanisms. We assumed that mesenchymal stem cells can restore the osteogenetic and osteoinductive properties in homologous bone grafts. The aim of this study was an histological evaluation of bone regeneration in maxillary sinus elevation using: 1) mesenchymal stem cells engineered freeze-dried bone allografts; 2) freeze-dried bone allografts. Twenty patients (10M, 10F) with a mean age of 55.2 years affected by severe maxillary atrophy were treated with bilateral maxillary sinus floor elevation. For each patient were randomly assigned a "test" side and a "control" side, different from each other exclusively in the composition of the graft material. The "control" sides were composed by corticocancellous freeze-dried bone chips and the "test" sides were composed by corticocancellous freeze-dried bone chips engineered in a bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells concentrate. After three months bone biopsies were performed on the grafts and histological specimens were made in order to evaluate the healed bone from an histological point of view. Histologically all the specimens showed active remodelling signs and all the tissues were free of inflammatory cells. "Control" side specimens showed a substantial persistence of the grafted bone and, with the interposition of connective tissue, a considerable amount of newly formed bone. "Test" side specimens showed a much more represented cellular component compared to the "control" sides. The grafted bone trabeculae, when detectable, were completely imprisoned inside new formed bone, in direct contact with it and without interposition of connective tissue. Freeze-dried bone can be used successfully as graft material in the treatment of maxillary atrophy. The same bone engineered with stem cells showed a greater histological integration potential comparable with autografts histological morphology. Further studies are needed to confirm these hypotheses.
PubMed: 26604947
DOI: 10.11138/ccmbm/2015.12.2.183