Premium
A fast automated screening method for the detection of blood transfusion in sports
Author(s) -
Leuenberger Nicolas,
Ansermet Camille,
Pottgiesser Torben,
Baume Norbert,
Robinson Neil,
Saugy Martial,
Schumacher Yorck Olaf
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
drug testing and analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.065
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1942-7611
pISSN - 1942-7603
DOI - 10.1002/dta.1676
Subject(s) - biomarker , blood transfusion , medicine , blood plasma , whole blood , chemistry , biochemistry
Currently, there is no simple direct screening method for the misuse of blood transfusions in sports. In this study, we investigated whether the measurement of iron in EDTA‐plasma can serve as biomarker for such purpose. Our results revealed an increase of the plasma iron level up to 25‐fold 6 h after blood re‐infusion. The variable remained elevated 10‐fold one day after the procedure. A specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93% were obtained with a proposed threshold at 45 µg/dL of plasma iron. Therefore, our test could be used as a simple, cost effective biomarker for the screening for blood transfusion misuse in sports. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.