COVID-19 serological survey using micro blood sampling

Abstract

During August 2020, we carried out a serological survey among students and employees at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Japan, testing for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. We used a FDA-authorized 2-step ELISA protocol in combination with at-home self-collection of blood samples using a custom low-cost finger prick-based capillary blood collection kit. Although our survey did not find any COVID-19 seropositive individuals among the OIST cohort, it reliably detected all positive control samples obtained from a local hospital and excluded all negatives controls. We found that high serum antibody titers can persist for more than 9 months post infection. Among our controls, we found strong cross-reactivity of antibodies in samples from a serum pool from two MERS patients in the anti-SARS-CoV-2-S ELISA. Here we show that a centralized ELISA in combination with patient-based capillary blood collection using as little as one drop of blood can reliably assess the seroprevalence among communities. Anonymous sample tracking and an integrated website created a stream-lined procedure. Major parts of the workflow were automated on a liquid handler, demonstrating scalability. We anticipate this concept to serve as a prototype for reliable serological testing among larger populations.

Dried blood spot specimens for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing: A multi-site, multi-assay comparison

“…Second, we did not take into consideration other capillary blood collection methods such as capillary tubes. While capillary tubes have been shown to be a practical alternative to venepuncture for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing [ 28 , 29 ], they cannot be transported as easily or safely as DBS therefore their applicability are somewhat limited for large sero-surveys within the Canadian context. Last, DBS eluates, prepared using a well-characterized buffer used specifically by the National Laboratory for HIV Reference Services (NLHRS), were sent to the participants (with the exception of the GSP/DELFIA).…”

Human immune and gut microbial parameters associated with inter-individual variations in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity

“…Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG ELISA assays were performed as previously described 43,44 with minor modifications. Briefly, 96-well plates were coated with 2-4 µg/mL HexaPro 45 spike protein overnight at 4˚C.…”

Feasibility of home-based ELISA capillary blood self-testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

“…It has several benefits to improve access to serological testing and to reduce risks, including facilitating access to hard-to-reach populations, limiting the burden of serological testing, decreasing risk of infection due to in-person settings, and sparing health care resources [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]. To date, it has been successfully used in large-scale surveys [ [5] , [6] ], among children [ 7 ], elderly [ 8 ], and vulnerable populations [ 9 , 10 ]. Self-testing is therefore useful for patients who would forego care for fear of transmission in medical facilities including blood collection centers.…”