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. 2024 Jun 25;111(2):391-395.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0306. Print 2024 Aug 7.

Using Dried Blood Spots to Quantitatively Detect Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies by ELISA: A Validation Study

Michelle Ylade  1 , Asma Binte Aziz  2 , Jedas Veronica Daag  1 , Maria Vinna Crisostomo  1 , Kristal-An Agrupis  1 , Maria Angela Maronilla  1 , Chloe Sye Lim Hong  2 , Hwa Young Kim  2 , Irene Njau  2 , March Helena Jane Lopez  1 , Jacqueline Deen  1 , Deok Ryun Kim  2 , Young Ae You  2 , Sophie S Y Kang  2 , Florian Marks  2   3   4   5 , Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse  2   4   6
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Using Dried Blood Spots to Quantitatively Detect Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies by ELISA: A Validation Study

Michelle Ylade et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 serological testing is useful to determine seroprevalence, epidemiological trends, and the extent of transmission. The collection and transport of serum samples can be logistically challenging, especially in remote underserved areas. Dried blood spots (DBSs) would allow easier sample collection and logistical handling compared with standard serum collection, particularly for extensive and repeated SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the IgG ELISA (Wantai, Beijing, China) using DBSs against sera for the quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody. The IgG ELISA was used to test paired sera and DBSs obtained from individuals with recent virologically confirmed COVID-19 illness and banked paired sera and DBSs collected before the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that 100/100 (100%) seropositive samples were positive using DBSs, and 193/194 (99%) seronegative samples were negative using DBSs. Compared with sera, the DBS method had a 100% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 99% PPV, and 100% NPV. Use of DBSs for SARS-CoV-2 household or population serosurveys may be considered in situations with limitations in sample collection, shipment, and storage.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ contributions: M. Ylade, J. V. Daag, and J. Deen conceived and designed the study. M. Ylade, J. V. Daag, M. V. Crisostomo, K.-A. Agrupis, M. A. Maronilla, and M. H. J. Lopez recruited and enrolled the participants. J. V. Daag performed the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. S. S. Y. Kang, A. B. Aziz, F. Marks, Y. A. You, C. Sye Lim Hong, H. Y. Kim, I. Njau, and B. T. Tadesse provided technical advice and logistical support. M. Ylade, D. R. Kim, and Y. A. You carried out the statistical analysis. M. Ylade, J. V. Daag, A. B. Aziz, and J. Deen wrote the first draft, and all authors revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors approved the version submitted and are accountable for all aspects of the work.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Schema of specimens collected.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the curve (AUC).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Correlation between anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG level using dried blood spots (DBSs) and sera. RMSE = root mean square error.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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