Opti-Spot provides the following benefits:
Small sample size – only one drop of blood is required; more feasible for ante-mortem sampling
Saves technician time – no clotting or centrifugation required; no transfer of serum
Reduced sample preparation time – only an hour or two of drying time required
Costs savings in supplies – no serum tubes or pipettes; requires only standard overnight envelope at ambient temperature, no ice or insulation necessary
Opti-Spot Protocol
1. Materials required:
a. Opti-Spot card (available from IDEXX BioResearch)
b. Lancet or needle
2. Sample labeling:
a. Label one Opti-Spot card with a unique identification number for each sample strip.
3. Opti-Spot:
a. Opti-Spot cards and strips
i. The Opti-Spot cards are constructed with 5 individual strips separated by perforations. The strips are easily separated along the perforation lines for individual use.
ii. On each strip, a 1.0 cm2 circle is printed on the face of the Opti-Spot membrane as a guide. It is not necessary that the blood spot be centered within the circle.
b. Opti-Spot sample collection:
i. Ante-mortem blood samples may be obtained by lancing the lateral saphenous, facial or the temporal vein. Touch the Opti-Spot membrane to blood drop as it forms on the surface of the skin.
ii. If the blood sample is taken by cardiocentesis, quickly dispense one drop of whole blood onto theOpti-Spot strip.
iii. The blood spot should be of sufficient size (approximately 1 cm2) to nearly fill the printed circle and be of sufficient volume so that the appearance of the blood spot is similar on both sides of the Opti-Spotstrip.
iv. Allow the blood spot to dry for a minimum of one hour.
v. Once dried, fold the protective upper tab over the blood spot and tuck under the lower tab.
4. Sample Shipment:
a. It is important that the Opti-Spot strip is protected from moisture. Once dry, place Opti-Spot samples in a water-tight plastic bag containing the provided silica gel desiccant pack, and ship samples in a standard overnight envelope.
Ship samples to:
IDEXX GmbH
IDEXX BioAnalytics
Im Moldengraben 65
D-70806 Kornwestheim
Germany
