Self-sampling of capillary blood for SARS-CoV-2 serology



Brown, Lottie, Byrne, Rachel L, Fraser, Alice, Owen, Sophie I, Cubas-Atienzar, Ana I, Williams, Christopher T, Kay, Grant A, Cuevas, Luis E, Fitchett, Joseph RA, Fletcher, Tom
et al (show 9 more authors) (2021) Self-sampling of capillary blood for SARS-CoV-2 serology. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11 (1). 7754-.

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Abstract

Serological testing is emerging as a powerful tool to progress our understanding of COVID-19 exposure, transmission and immune response. Large-scale testing is limited by the need for in-person blood collection by staff trained in venepuncture, and the limited sensitivity of lateral flow tests. Capillary blood self-sampling and postage to laboratories for analysis could provide a reliable alternative. Two-hundred and nine matched venous and capillary blood samples were obtained from thirty nine participants and analysed using a COVID-19 IgG ELISA to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Thirty eight out of thirty nine participants were able to self-collect an adequate sample of capillary blood (≥ 50 µl). Using plasma from venous blood collected in lithium heparin as the reference standard, matched capillary blood samples, collected in lithium heparin-treated tubes and on filter paper as dried blood spots, achieved a Cohen's kappa coefficient of > 0.88 (near-perfect agreement, 95% CI 0.738-1.000). Storage of capillary blood at room temperature for up to 7 days post sampling did not affect concordance. Our results indicate that capillary blood self-sampling is a reliable and feasible alternative to venepuncture for serological assessment in COVID-19.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Blood Specimen Collection, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Young Adult, Dried Blood Spot Testing, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 Serological Testing
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2022 14:42
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 21:14
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86008-5
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3147959