This study is to determine if there is any quantifiable correlation between serum beta hCG and dried blood spot (DBS) beta hCG levels. This data will be used to develop a less invasive collection method to determine quantitative hCG levels.
A cohort of 40 individuals at various stages of pregnancy or medical abortion will be recruited for the study. Each participant will provide biospecimens that include the following: serum, saliva, urine, and dried blood spot (DBS). These samples will be collected and stored at the clinic under appropriate storage conditions until they can be shipped, under dry ice, to the testing lab. Once samples arrive at the lab, serum samples will be thawed and prepared to run on an ECL analyzer to determine reference beta hCG values in mIU/mL for each participant. Samples will be run as they are received by the lab. The initial 10-12 samples will be used to evaluate study feasiblility and determine if there is one sample type that performs better than the others. The other matched sample types will be processed and run on the ECL analyzer. The values for beta hCG mIU/mL of the other sample types will then be compared to the matched serum to determine if there are any consistent correlations. In the first 10-12 samples, if one sample type is shown to perform better than the others, the study will shift focus towards prioritizing the analysis of that particular sample type in regards to correlation with serum. If more than one sample type is shown to perform well, then those sample types will be equally prioritized. If no sample type shows any correlation, the study will end.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana and Kentucky
Tacoma, Washington, United States
Correlation of matched serum and DBS samples for detection of beta hCG levels using an ECL analyzer.
It was determine that serum and DBS samples show a consistent correlation. DBS beta hCG levels can be converted to reflect those of serum beta hCG. By utilization of a dilution factor, DBS beta hCG levels matched that of serum beta hCG levels with an average accuracy of 94.8%. Serum samples were run on an analyzer to obtain reference values in mIU/mL. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples, that were matched for both time of collection and patient, were extracted with an elution buffer coupled with agitation. This eluate was run on the same analyzer as the serum samples and the resulting beta hCG levels in mIU/mL were corrected with a dilution factor and compared to the serum reference values.
Time frame: 2-24 hours
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.