Diagnostic Analysis of Veterinary Dried Blood Spots for Toxic Heavy Metals Exposure

Abstract

Dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been used in human medicine since the 1960s, predominantly for screening in-borne metabolic disorders and more recently, for toxicology. Despite its 50-year existence, this technology has not been adopted by veterinarians for routine diagnoses and research. We have validated a novel DBS analytical procedure for the routine measurement of toxic heavy metals using 50 µL of whole blood on a single DBS by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Targeted heavy metals are arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, selenium and thallium. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) on DBS are: arsenic 1.7 µg/L, cadmium 4.0 µg/L, mercury 13.7 µg/L, lead 13.3 µg/L, selenium 6.3 µg/L and thallium 1.5 µg/L. These LOQs suffice for routine diagnoses of heavy metal intoxication in domesticated and wildlife species as well as for basic, applied and epidemiological studies. The technique is ideal for population studies involving investigations of wildlife exposure to heavy metals and other environmental pollutants. The small blood volume involved (50 µL) makes it feasible to study small animals (birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals) that were previously excluded, or difficult to study due to the relatively large sample volumes required by current gold standard blood collection techniques.

Suitability of anodic stripping voltammetry for routine analysis of venous blood from raptors

“…The latter, ICP-MS, is currently considered to be the reference technique for this determination (Gangoso et al 2009;Margalida 2009a, 2009b;Sobin et al 2011;Lehner et al 2013;Carneiro et al 2015). The latter, ICP-MS, is currently considered to be the reference technique for this determination (Gangoso et al 2009;Margalida 2009a, 2009b;Sobin et al 2011;Lehner et al 2013;Carneiro et al 2015).…”

Antimicrobial discovery from natural and unusual sources

“…Crocodiles and alligators are known for their longest life span, and during their lives, they encounter numerous pathogenic microbes, toxicants, pollutants, carcinogens etc. but thrive in these conditions . The serum of the Siamese crocodile ( Crocodylus siamensis ) was purified to separate antibacterial agents and found to be active against several bacterial pathogens including Salmonella typhi , E. coli , S. aureus , S. epidermidis , K. pneumoniae , P. aeruginosa and Vibrio chorelae .…”

Comparative research of effectiveness of cellulose and fiberglass porous membrane carriers for bio sampling in veterinary and food industry monitoring

“…According to Lehner et al [22] the aforementioned technique is highly suitable for population studies including the environmental assessment of heavy metals impact. It is also important to note that DBS method requires comparatively small volumes of blood that makes studies of such animals as birds, reptiles, amphibia and small mammals more accessible [22,23].…”

“…It is also important to note that DBS method requires comparatively small volumes of blood that makes studies of such animals as birds, reptiles, amphibia and small mammals more accessible [22,23]. As exemplified by experiments involving laboratory rats and mice, DBS technique in preclinical studies can lead to considerable decrease in numbers of used animals without any loss of the experimental results quality [3,24].…”

“…For example, present ecological situation and anthropogenic impact lead to active pollution of livestock food and, as a consequence, accumulation of a wide variety of toxicants, including heavy metals, in animal products. In this regard use of matrices for dry storage of biosamples can considerably simplify biosampling process for stock-breeders for regular control over toxic substances, including heavy metals, content both in vegetable matter and in animal products [22]. Beside inorganic pollutants wide spread of virus infections is another problem of livestock and plant growing sectors.…”