Dry Blood Spot (DBS) as a Sample Collection Technique for Post-Exposure Monitoring of Drugs of Abuse and Acids Using LC-MS/MS

Lilach Yishai Aviram, Analytical Chemistry, IIBR, Ness Ziona, Israel
Shai Dagan, Analytical Chemistry, Iibr, Ness Ziona, Israel

We present a new approach for the determination of drugs of abuse and acids in blood using dry blood spots (DBS). Dry blood spots are obtained by drawing _~ 20ul of blood and spotting the drop on a filter paper. The analytical method is based on a simple sample preparation from the paper, followed by LC-MS-MS targeted (MRM) analysis. Detection limits of the drugs and acids we tested were as low as 1 ng/ml. Good recoveries, above 50%, were obtained in the range of 1-100 ng/ml with good linear response (R²=0.99). The method has proven to be effective even with DBS samples stored up to 35 days at room temperature before analysis. This technique is simple, rapid, sensitive and compatible with field collection and storage. With DBS, sampling is amenable to nonprofessionals, including self-sampling. Moreover, the samples are robust and long lasting. These features make this technique highly suitable for mass-casualty incidents in a forensic scene. Additionally, this method is ideal for pharmacokinetics research, especially for small animals.