Comparing inflammation markers from dried blood spots and standard blood draws
Analysis of Inflammatory Biomarker Changes in Dry Blood Spot Versus Venous Blood Samples
This will see if finger‑prick dried blood spot samples can measure inflammation markers as accurately as standard venous blood draws in adults receiving a planned vaccine or other scheduled stressor.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Montreal, Quebec) |
| Trial ID | NCT07435285 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults planning to receive a seasonal vaccine or another planned acute stressor provide paired dried blood spot (DBS) and venous blood samples before and after the event to capture changes in inflammatory biomarkers. Investigators measure and compare concentrations and changes in biomarkers in DBS versus matched venous samples to determine agreement and reliability. The protocol excludes people with recent infectious symptoms, recent substance use, or recent acute worsening of chronic disease to avoid confounding inflammation signals. Results will inform whether DBS can serve as a practical alternative to clinic-based venous sampling for future research and decentralized monitoring.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older who are planning to receive a seasonal vaccine or have another scheduled acute stressor and who do not have recent infectious symptoms or recent acute worsening of chronic disease.
Not a fit: People with recent infection symptoms, recent use of certain recreational drugs, recent acute worsening of chronic conditions, a contraindication to the planned vaccine, or those not undergoing a planned stressor are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, DBS sampling could allow easier at‑home or remote collection for monitoring inflammation, reducing the need for clinic visits and venous draws.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown DBS can reliably measure some inflammation markers such as CRP, but results are variable for certain cytokines, so DBS is promising but not yet universally validated for all inflammatory biomarkers.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men or women aged ≥18 years, who are planning to receive a seasonal vaccine OR have a scheduled acute stressor\*. Exclusion Criteria: * Any infectious symptoms (fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of smell or taste) within the previous 7 days * Any self-reported active/recent use of cocaine, injection drugs, or amphetamines * Acute worsening of a known chronic health condition within the previous 30 days (e.g., of IBD, COPD, asthma, rheumatologic disease) * Known severe allergy or intolerance to the planned vaccine * Contraindication to the vaccine received, if applicable \*List of possible scheduled acute stressors include: * Hard exercise (incl. 10km run or longer, high-intensity interval training, or comparable endurance activity) * Social event with moderate alcohol consumption * Planned change in medication dose and/or frequency of use * Onset of menstruation (day 1) * Other pre-planned stressors expected to elicit an inflammatory response
Where this trial is running
Montreal, Quebec
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Emily G. McDonald, MD MSc — McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Study coordinator: Kristen Moran, BSc.
- Email: cpau.med@mcgill.ca
- Phone: 514-934-1934
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.