Dried blood spot sampling for hepatitis B virus quantification, sequencing and mutation detection

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) diagnosis is performed on serum samples, but the access to this diagnosis is difficult in low-income regions. The use of dried blood spot (DBS) samples does not require special structure for collection, storage or transport. This study evaluates the use of DBS for detection, quantification and sequencing of HBV DNA using in-house techniques. Two study groups were included: 92 HBsAg + individuals and 49 negative controls. Serum and DBS samples were submitted to quantitative and qualitative in-house PCR for S/pol genes, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Total of 84 serum samples were successfully amplified. Of them, 63 paired DBS were also positive in qualitative PCR. Qualitative PCR in DBS presented a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 100% (Kappa = 0.689). Quantitative PCR in DBS presented a detection limit of 852.5 copies/mL (250 IU/mL), sensitivity of 77.63% and specificity of 100% (Kappa = 0.731). A total of 63 serum samples and 36 DBS samples were submitted to sequencing, revealing the circulation of genotypes A (65.08%), D (4.8%), E (3.2%) and F (27%) with 100% of correspondence between serum and DBS. All sequenced samples displayed polymorphisms in HBsAg gene. An HIV-coinfected patient presented the rtM204V/I-rtL180M double resistance mutation in serum and DBS. In conclusion, DBS is an alternative to detect, quantify and characterize HBV DNA, being a possibility of increasing diagnosis in low-income settings, closing gaps in HBV control.

The role of dried blood spot tests in the detection of hepatitis B infection: A systematic review

“…Notably, one study ( n = 1) investigated individuals occupationally exposed to BBVs, specifically hairdressers 82 . It is important to mention that six studies did not specify the population from which the samples were taken 83–88 …”

“…82 It is important to mention that six studies did not specify the population from which the samples were taken. [83][84][85][86][87][88]…”

Rapid Detection of Amitriptyline in Dried Blood and Dried Saliva Samples with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

“…The collection of whole blood samples on paper is known as dried blood spot (DBS), which dates back to the 1960s [ 20 ] and is still in common use [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. DBS offers several advantages over conventional whole blood, plasma, or serum sample collection such as requiring a less invasive sampling method (small needle prick, compared to venous cannula), easier and simpler storage and transfer (no need for freezing samples), and potential to be collected by patients themselves (minimal training); furthermore, it reduces the infection risk caused by various pathogens, and only requires a very small blood volume compared to conventional blood sample collection [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”