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

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.

Prevalence of chlamydial, gonococcal and syphilis positivity by anatomical site and sex via self-collected biospecimens using at-home testing kits among a large and diverse cohort of men and women enrolled in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) in the USA — Mimiaga et al., Sexually transmitted infections (paywalled) · source ↗

• blood
• sti
• dbs
• self-collection
• dried
• serology
• bd-microtainer
• urine

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.

A Narrative Review of Remote Biospecimen Collection Product and Implementation Considerations for Sexual Health Clinical Research — Horvath et al., AIDS and behavior (paywalled) · source ↗

• blood
• dried
• vams
• dbs
• self-collection
• validation
• dct
• serology
• sti

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.

Use of Home-Based Self-Collected Dried Blood Spots to Test for Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections and Measuring Creatinine Concentration — Nieuwenburg et al., Sexually transmitted diseases · source ↗

• blood
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• venous-agreement
• acceptability
• serology
• sti

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.

Effectiveness of integrating HIV prevention within sexual reproductive health services with or without peer support among adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Isisekelo Sempilo): 2 × 2 factorial, open-label, randomised controlled trial — Shahmanesh et al., The lancet. HIV (paywalled) · source ↗

• blood
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• dct
• serology
• sti

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.

Engaging Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men for HIV Testing and Prevention Services Through Technology: Protocol for the iSTAMP Comparative Effectiveness Trial — Dana et al., JMIR research protocols · source ↗

• blood
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• dct
• serology
• sti