FULLY AUTOMATED CAMAG DRIED BLOOD SPOT

Sample handling and extraction of serological testing of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached unexpected dimensions. All around the globe scientists are researching the immunisation process after infection to enable development of new and innovative transmission models, vaccines and therapies. Thus, the formation and subsequent reduction of human lgG and lgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 plays a crucial role in epidemiologic studies. Several research groups have demonstrated that Dried Blood Spot (DBS) sampling is a simple and cheap way of performing such serological testing. The combination of a CAMAG DBS-MS 500 HCT with a CTC PAL module (robot for off-line sample collection) permits collection of DBS extracts in sample vials or microtiter plates (e.g. 96-well plates) for further processing (e.g. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for lgG). It is a valuable tool for diagnostic laboratories to test large populations for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, using a cost-effective, simple and accurate workflow.

The possibility to perform ‘at-home’ sampling of DBS and sending them to a centralised laboratory is convenient and protects individuals from risking the spread of an infection. The commercially available consumables that are required for a DBS ‘at-home’ sampling kit are minimal, i.e. an alcohol pad for disinfection, a DBS card, a finger-prick, and the instructions.

Furthermore, DBS enables shipment to the lab, without the requirement for sample cooling.

BRUNO STEINER LAB CONSULTANCY

011 804 3503 078 342 3354 086 719 2778 bruno@bslc.co.za www.bslc.co.za