HIV 1 and 2 antibody and p24 antigen screen (Dried Blood Spot) (Virology)
This service is designed for those patients on whom it is
difficult to obtain venous blood, especially for intra venous drug
users.
Contact the laboratory for supply of postal packs containing all
necessary items for using this service.
Paediatric/infant packs are available on request
General information
Collection container (including preservatives):
Envelope with dessicant
Specimen type: Dried blood spot card

Collection:
1) Disposable gloves should be worn for the whole procedure to
protect you and the sample from degradation.
2) Ensure the patient's hands are clean. If the hands are cold
ask the patient to rub them together. It is important the puncture
site is warm.
3) Identify and clean the puncture site:
- Use one of the outer three fingers
- Avoid finger pad and nail bed
- Clean site with alcohol wipe, then dry

4) Break the seal by twisting.

5) Hold the lancet with two fingers and place at the puncture
site.

6) Gently apply pressure until the lancet is activated. A click
sound will be heard when this has happened.

7) Safely discard the lancet in a sharps container.

8) Spot blood onto each of the 5 circles on the card. To ensure
enough blood flow:
- Hold the puncture site down
- Apply intermittent pressure. Avoid strong repetitive pressure
(milking), it can damage the area
Note: Fill each circle with blood. Failure to
do so may reduce the sensitivity of the screening tests.

9) Leave the card to dry for a minimum of 30 minutes.
10) Place card along with one bag of desiccant in the plastic
carrier attached to the request form.
11) Ensure the required details have been entered on both the
request form and the dried blood spot card. Place the request card
in the envelope provided and send back to the laboratory.
Specimen transport: No special needs
Minimum volume of sample: 7mm diameter blood
spot
Special precautions: Ensure blood spot has
dried and submit with dessicant pouch enclosed
Laboratory information
Measurement units: Not applicable
Biological reference units: Not applicable
Turn round time for provisional result (working
days): 4 days
Turn round time to final result (working days):
5 days
Clinical information
Clinical decision points: Not applicable
Factors known to significantly affect the
results: Spots too small, not all spots filled with
blood
(Last reviewed October 24th 2017)