One million DBS samples received, analyzed and reported

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Sampling and Analysis

Dried blood spot (DBS) samples consist of whole blood collected and dried on a paper- or polymer-based sampling device. Capillary blood is commonly collected from the fingertip or heel in humans, or from an appropriate sampling site in animal studies. Venous whole blood may also be applied to a suitable collection device to prepare DBS samples.

Vitas has more than 15 years of experience in developing, validating and performing analytical methods for DBS samples. Our portfolio includes a broad and continuously expanding range of biomarkers, and we provide contract analytical services to professional customers in academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and other research-based organisations.

Decentralised and Large-Scale Sampling

A major advantage of DBS is that small volumes of blood can be collected using relatively simple sampling procedures. This can facilitate decentralised sample collection and support geographically distributed or large-scale studies.

Depending on the project design, sampling materials may be distributed to study participants, who may collect capillary blood samples outside a clinical setting where permitted by the study protocol and applicable requirements. Samples may then be returned to the study centre or directly to the laboratory for analysis.

The suitability of self-collection, transport by mail and storage at ambient temperature depends on the sampling device, analyte, study design, validated procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.

Reporting and Data Transfer

Analytical results are reported to the project sponsor or customer using the agreed reporting format. Depending on project requirements, results may be transferred through secure file transfer, application programming interfaces or other controlled digital reporting solutions.

Any participant-facing reporting, interpretation of results or digital presentation is defined and managed according to the responsibilities and requirements of the project sponsor or customer.

Example of Large-Scale Project Support

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vitas supported a large Norwegian seroprevalence study by providing DBS analytical services and project-specific sample-handling support. Approximately 30,000 samples were received, analysed and reported within 1.5 months.

The study was subsequently published and demonstrated the suitability of DBS for large-scale, geographically distributed research projects.

Please review our DBS method portfolio and scientific publications for further information about our analytical capabilities.

If you have projects or a service that you think would benefit from DBS as a collection platform and would like to discuss a collaboration, please contact Thomas E. Gundersen at teg@vitas.no.