Background: Serologic assays for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have roles in seroepidemiology, convalescent plasma-testing, antibody durability and vaccine studies. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 serology is performed using serum/plasma collected by venepuncture. Dried bloodspot (DBS) testing offers significant advantages; as it is minimally invasive, avoids venepuncture with specimens being mailed to the laboratory. Methods: A pathway utilising a newborn screening laboratory infrastructure was developed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgG antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in DBS specimens. Paired plasma and DBS specimens from SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive and negative subjects and PCR positive subjects were tested. DBS specimen stability, effect of blood volume and punch location were also evaluated. Results: DBS from antibody-negative (n=85) and positive (n=35) subjects and PCR positive subjects (n=11) had a mean (SD; range) optical density (OD) of 0.14 (0.046; 0.03-0.27), 0.98 (0.41; 0.31-1.64) and 1.12 (0.37; 0.49-1.54), respectively. An action value OD >0.28 correctly assigned all cases. The weighted Deming regression for comparison of the DBS and the plasma assay yielded: y=0.004041+1.005x, r=0.991, Sy/x 0.171, n=82. Extraction efficiency of antibodies from DBS was >99%. DBS were stable for at least 28 days at ambient room temperature and humidity. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 IgG RBD antibodies can be reliably detected in DBS. DBS serological testing offers lower costs than either point of care or serum/plasma assays that require patient travel, phlebotomy and hospital/clinic resources; the development of a DBS assay may be particularly important for resource poor settings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.