A novel internet sampling for HIV surveillance: feasibility of self-sampling and preparation of DBS for delivery detection of HIV total nucleic acid and complementarity to sentinel surveillance
Su et al.
The finding, in our words
Internet-based self-sampling of dried blood spots for HIV total nucleic acid testing was feasible, with a 95% qualification rate and good confidentiality, and it complemented sentinel surveillance.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
The study found that self-collection of dried blood spots and other samples using at-home kits was a useful and cost-effective method for screening a large cohort for sexually transmitted infections outside a clinic. This demonstrates the feasibility of decentralised, patient-centric sampling for population-level infectious disease surveillance.
Mimiaga et al., Sexually transmitted infections (paywalled) · source ↗
This narrative review surveys remote biospecimen collection products for sexual health research, including dried blood spots and volumetric absorptive microsampling, and concludes that successful implementation needs a multidisciplinary, participant-centred team with sufficient time allocated to the complexities of collection procedures and processes.
Horvath et al., AIDS and behavior (paywalled) · source ↗
The study found that DBS testing showed high specificity for HIV, HBV and HCV and perfect sensitivity for HIV and HBV, but lower sensitivity for syphilis and HCV, with creatinine measurements slightly higher than venous samples. Despite challenges in sample adequacy, DBS was acceptable to participants and could support decentralised STI and renal monitoring in men who have sex with men.
Nieuwenburg et al., Sexually transmitted diseases · source ↗
Self-collected dried blood spots were used to assess HIV status at 12 months in 1168 participants. Integration of sexual and reproductive health services increased linkage to HIV prevention care within 60 days (adjusted odds ratio 1·68) compared with standard referral, whereas peer support had no effect.
Shahmanesh et al., The lancet. HIV (paywalled) · source ↗
This protocol paper describes a decentralised HIV self-testing trial that enrolled 2093 Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men across 11 US states. The study incorporates laboratory analysis of participant-returned dried blood spot cards to verify self-reported HIV status, illustrating how patient-centric microsampling can be integrated into remote serology screening for underserved populations.