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Introduction: this study was designed to measure ethyl alcohol concentrations in blood samples of different matrices (Li-He plasma, K2-EDTA plasma and serum) with the DRI® method on the ILab Taurus analyzer. The aim of the protocol was to compare the values between the matrices K2-EDTA and serum with Li-He plasma. Furthermore, 18 real samples from the emergency room were used to compare the results obtained with the enzymatic method on both Li-He and K2-EDTA plasma in comparison with the GC/HS reference method. Methods: serum, Li-He and K2-EDTA samples were obtained from left-over routine samples to obtain different pools (serum, Li-He plasma and K2-EDTA plasma pools). Samples with different expected concentrations of ethanol (range 0.00-2.22 g/L) were prepared in situ (60 samples for each matrix) by precise additions of a 10% ethanol solution. All these samples were stored at -20°C until use. Results: in the expected concentration range between 0.42 and 0.85 g/L and around 0.8 and 1.5 g/L [which incorporates most of the legally permitted levels of BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) in Europe including Italy] the CV% obtained are all <5.0%. The GC/HS correlation with ILab Taurus for both plasma matrices, LI-He and K2-EDTA evaluated in 18 genuine samples was excellent. Discussion: all the obtained results show that for all the matrices evaluated in the study, the analytical performances are highly satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serosurveys can be used to monitor COVID-19 seroprevalence and conduct surveillance. Dried blood spot (DBS), used increasingly as a valuable sample to assay severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies (Ab), has several advantages, particularly in infants, due to the limited amount of blood required and its utility in testing a large number of samples in a limited time-frame. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 IgG Ab prevalence in newborn DBS in the Trentino region of Italy, during the time period January 2020 – December 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were determined in DBS by means of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac IgG ELISA assay (Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany). Analyses included 2,400 DBS from newborns (54% M, 46% F), samples being collected 2–3 days after birth. The first DBS that tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was found in March 2020 and, up to May 2020, only 4 positive results were detected overall. Starting from June 2020, the positivity thresholds increased according to the epidemiological waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, with a robust increment in the winters of 2020 and 2021. The percentage of positive DBS rose from 0 to 6% to 10–47%, in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This study demonstrates DBS is a suitable tool for both epidemiological purposes and surveillance in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, particularly in newborns and pregnant women, saving blood waste and sparing patients any discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]