Reliable diagnostics begin with high-quality sample collection and preanalytics, and EUROIMMUN provides innovative solutions to ensure accuracy, safety, and efficiency from the very first step of the diagnostic process. One of the most versatile and increasingly important sample collection methods is the use of Dried Blood Spots (DBS). This simple yet powerful approach offers laboratories and clinicians a secure, minimally invasive, and logistically efficient way to obtain and analyze patient samples. In the Caribbean, DBS solutions from EUROIMMUN are available exclusively through Southern Medical Supplies Limited, ensuring local access to global innovation.
DBS technology has been used in in vitro diagnostics since the 1960s, particularly in newborn screening, where it has become the global standard. Over the decades, its use has expanded into drug screenings, doping controls, therapeutic drug monitoring, and increasingly into antibody and antigen diagnostics. More recently, DBS samples have been validated for use in serological testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus, with additional parameters under development.
The principle of DBS collection is straightforward. A drop of capillary blood is obtained via a simple finger prick and applied to a specially designed blood collection card. Once air-dried, the card can be safely stored, transported, and later analyzed in the laboratory. This minimally invasive method provides a convenient alternative to venous blood sampling, especially in settings where phlebotomy is impractical.
Dried Blood Spots (DBS) offer a wide range of practical advantages that make them particularly suited for modern diagnostics. Collection is simple, requiring only a quick finger prick to apply capillary blood onto a collection card, which is then left to air dry. This minimally invasive method provides an excellent alternative to venous blood draws, especially for children, patients in remote areas, or large-scale screenings. Once dried, DBS samples are safe to transport and are classified as exempt medical samples by the US DOT, IATA, and WHO, meaning they can be shipped through regular mail without the strict biohazard restrictions that apply to liquid blood. They also eliminate the need for refrigeration, as the samples remain stable at room temperature, making DBS ideal for use in regions with limited infrastructure or where cold-chain logistics are not feasible. In addition, quantification is straightforward, as defined punches allow precise measurement of the blood volume collected. Finally, the entire DBS process — from punching through to analysis — can be fully automated in the laboratory, ensuring efficiency and reproducibility. Together, these benefits make DBS an invaluable tool for expanding diagnostic capacity in decentralized healthcare, remote populations, and large-scale epidemiological studies.
DBS samples can be seamlessly integrated into EUROIMMUN’s diagnostic platforms. Automated punching devices such as the DBS Puncher® or Panthera-Puncher™ 9 from Revvity prepare the samples for downstream testing. The extracted material can then be processed on systems such as the EUROLabWorkstation ELISA, EUROIMMUN Analyzer I / I-2P, or the Sprinter XL for ELISA-based serology. For immunoblot assays, DBS extracts are compatible with the EUROBlotMaster and EUROBlotOne, while full data integration and traceability are supported through EUROLabOffice 4.0 middleware.
By enabling complete automation of DBS workflows, EUROIMMUN ensures that laboratories can benefit from efficiency and reproducibility while leveraging the unique logistical advantages of dried blood collection.
DBS technology makes diagnostics safer, more flexible, and more accessible. By eliminating the need for venous blood draws, cold-chain logistics, and strict biohazard precautions, DBS expands the reach of laboratory testing into areas where conventional sampling is impractical. When combined with EUROIMMUN’s powerful automation systems and validated assays, DBS becomes a comprehensive, scalable solution for modern diagnostics.
For laboratories and healthcare providers in the Caribbean, the benefits of DBS are fully supported by Southern Medical Supplies Limited, which ensures access to EUROIMMUN’s DBS solutions, automation devices, and validated assays, along with local training and technical expertise.
👉 Available now from Southern Medical Supplies Limited — your trusted partner for sample collection, preanalytics, and DBS-based diagnostics in the Caribbean.
With over three decades of regional expertise, SMSL is more than a supplier—we are your partner in healthcare innovation. By combining trusted global brands with unmatched local support, we deliver solutions that improve outcomes, reduce risks, and empower healthcare professionals to perform at their very best.
