Acceptability and validity of microsampling for serosurveillance in Kenya

We present findings from a study assessing the acceptability, ease of use and validity of two microsampling techniques against venous blood sampling. This was a pilot study nested within a multi-pathogen serosurveillance project.
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We set out to compare how well the Mitra™ microsampler and traditional Whatman DBS filter paper compare to gold standard venous blood draws. We assessed the acceptability among study participants and ease of use among sample collectors. Additionally, we aimed to determine the impact of different storage conditions and durations on antibody concentrations for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. Performance of the dried blood samples was compared against plasma derived from venous blood and testing performed using a Luminex multiplex assay.

​Ideal for:

  • Healthcare providers
  • Researchers
  • Population-based survey program officers​​​​​​​

What you will learn

  • Acceptability of microsampling techniques compared to venous blood draws
  • Impact of different storage conditions on measured antibody concentrations
  • Impact of different storage durations on measured antibody concentrations
  • Implications for practice

Speakers

Makobu Kimani

Post-doctoral clinical epidemiologist, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program

Makobu is a Kenyan trained medical doctor with additional training on epidemiology at PhD level. He has been involved in a multi-site serosurveillance study. Additionally, he is a reviewer on the institutional scientific and ethical review committee. Relevant to this webinar, he was the lead on the field epidemiology aspects of the micro-sampling pilot study.

Rose Ombati

Research Officer, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program

Rose is a Research Officer at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program. Her research interest is in the seroepidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, assessing population immunity to guide vaccination strategies. She conducts the development, optimization, and validation of laboratory assays for various vaccine targets. She holds an MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a BSc in Biomedical Science and Technology.

Neil Spooner

Director Spooner Bioanalytical Solutions & Chair Patient Centric Sampling Interest Group

Neil is the Founder of Spooner Bioanalytical Solutions, helping companies to integrate biological fluid microsampling, and patient centric sampling and analysis into workflows. He also works with organizations to develop technologies and introduce them to the market. Neil also assists organizations with their understanding of emerging trends in the pharmaceutical industry and bioanalysis. Neil is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire, Editor in Chief of the journal, Bioanalysis, Founder of the Patient Centric Sampling Interest Group and Co-Chair of the Reid Bioanalytical Forum. He has published over 70 peer reviewed manuscripts and delivered over 50 podium presentations.​​​​​​​

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