Question 1

What is the Meaning of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

A Dried Blood Spot (DBS) represents a collection method where a small volume of capillary or venous blood is applied onto a specialized filter paper and allowed to air dry. This technique yields a stable, compact sample suitable for various laboratory analyses, offering a practical alternative to traditional liquid blood collection methods.

Question 2

What is the Context of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

This sampling technique serves as a practical alternative to conventional venipuncture, often employed in public health screening programs, clinical research, and remote patient monitoring. DBS is particularly valuable within the scope of hormonal health assessments, providing a less invasive means to collect biological specimens for analysis of hormones, metabolites, and other biomarkers.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

The primary advantage of DBS lies in its minimally invasive nature, simplified collection process, and the enhanced stability of analytes at ambient temperatures, which collectively improve patient convenience and facilitate widespread access to diagnostic testing. This approach supports proactive health management by enabling decentralized sample collection, thereby influencing patient monitoring and treatment adjustments in various clinical scenarios.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

The process involves applying blood directly onto absorbent filter paper, where it dries, concentrating target analytes within the matrix. Subsequent laboratory analysis requires punching out a small disc from the dried spot, eluting the dried sample, and then quantifying specific biomarkers using advanced analytical platforms such as mass spectrometry or immunoassay to measure compounds like steroid hormones or vitamins.

Question 5

What is the Application of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

DBS finds extensive use in neonatal screening programs for inherited metabolic disorders and is increasingly adopted for monitoring hormone levels, therapeutic drug concentrations, and viral loads. This method enables decentralized testing, allowing individuals to collect samples at home, which significantly improves patient adherence to regular health assessments and broadens the reach of diagnostic services.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

Measurement of compounds from DBS samples typically involves highly sensitive laboratory techniques, including liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for precise quantification of hormones and metabolites, or enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for other biomarkers. Results are reported in standard units, such as nanograms per milliliter or picomoles per liter, and interpreted against established clinical reference intervals specific to the analyte and patient population.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Dried Blood Spot?

Accepted Answer

Potential challenges associated with DBS include the impact of hematocrit variations on analyte recovery, which can affect measurement accuracy, and the risk of sample degradation due to improper storage conditions or prolonged exposure to humidity. Furthermore, inadequate sample volume from an improper collection technique may necessitate retesting, potentially delaying clinical interpretation or patient management.

Dried Blood Spot

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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