Biofluid infrared spectro-diagnostics: pre-analytical considerations for clinical applications

Faraday Discuss. 2016 Jun 23:187:521-37. doi: 10.1039/c5fd00184f.

Abstract

Several proof-of-concept studies on the vibrational spectroscopy of biofluids have demonstrated that the methodology has promising potential as a clinical diagnostic tool. However, these studies also show that there is a lack of a standardised protocol in sample handling and preparation prior to spectroscopic analysis. One of the most important sources of analytical errors is the pre-analytical phase. For the technique to be translated into clinics, it is clear that a very strict protocol needs to be established for such biological samples. This study focuses on some of the aspects of the pre-analytical phase in the development of the high-throughput Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of some of the most common biofluids such as serum, plasma and bile. Pre-analytical considerations that can impact either the samples (solvents, anti-coagulants, freeze-thaw cycles…) and/or spectroscopic analysis (sample preparation such as drying, deposit methods, volumes, substrates, operators dependence…) and consequently the quality and the reproducibility of spectral data will be discussed in this report.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / methods*
  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / standards*
  • Anticoagulants / chemistry
  • Bile / chemistry
  • Body Fluids / chemistry*
  • Body Fluids / diagnostic imaging*
  • Freezing
  • Humans
  • Plasma / chemistry
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Serum / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / standards*
  • Vibration

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Solvents