An Examination of Perceptions and Usage of Dried Blood Spot Biosampling Technology for HIV Viral Load Collection Among Youth with HIV

A study of older rural US patients found that 96 to 98 per cent of self-collected dried blood spot specimens were successfully analysed for HIV viral load, with high acceptability. However, concordance between self-reported and measured viral load was only 69 to 82 per cent, highlighting the value of objective decentralised microsampling over self-reporting.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Self-Collected Dried Blood Spot Specimens for Viral Load Monitoring among Rural Older People Living with HIV — Walsh et al., AIDS and behavior (paywalled) · source ↗

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

The study found that although participants preferred patient-centric microsampling devices for home use, the agreement with venous plasma for measuring CRP and cytokines was inconsistent, indicating that further validation is required before these methods replace standard venipuncture.

Limited agreement of cytokines and CRP through patient-centric microsampling compared to venipuncture in healthy adults — Tuttle et al., Bioanalysis (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• venous-agreement
• acceptability
• blood
• dbs
• self-collection
• dried
• biomarkers

This study demonstrated that a fully remote genome sequencing study using self-collected dried blood spots and buccal swabs is feasible for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, with all participants completing the study and reporting the process was easy despite being lengthy. The design successfully returned actionable genetic findings, including those related to blood clot formation, to participants.

Study design with responsible return of results for a fully remote genome sequencing study in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome — Vrana-Diaz et al., Genetics in medicine open · source ↗

• blood
• saliva
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• acceptability
• dct
• genotyping

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 determined that using self-collected dried blood spots alongside online surveys was a feasible and acceptable method for remote pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence monitoring, with 64% of participants returning at least one blood specimen.

Remote pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence monitoring among young, Black men who have sex with men: a feasibility and acceptability pilot study — Jones et al., Current psychology (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• acceptability
• blood
• dbs
• tdm
• self-collection
• dried