Homologous blood transfusion and doping: Where are we now?

This review is an overview of the methods to detect homologous blood transfusion (HBT) used for doping: flow cytometry and DNA analysis for direct detection and hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport for indirect detection. Despite high specificity, detection of HBT by DNA analysis was recently challenged in vivo for its sensitivity. With recent technical progress, the flow cytometry method remains the method of choice with an improved sensitivity. AbstractHomologous blood transfusion (HBT) is used for doping in endurance sports since the 1960s. The blood comes from a compatible donor, that is, someone with a compatible ABO and rhesus blood group. Despite been prohibited by the IOC in 1985, no detection method was available until 2003. Then came the idea to use red blood cells (RBC) minor blood groups antigens that constitute an “identity” card of someone's RBC to detect the presence of a second RBC population. The method validated for doping control samples uses flow cytometry after incubation of isolated RBC with eight to 12 primary antibodies against specific minor blood groups antigens. The presence of double popula tions of RBC is revealed by a major and a minor peak in a fluorescence histogram. The sensitivity was estimated sufficient to detect HBT for a few weeks. Despite the complexity and cost of the method, right after its application in 2004, several cases of HBT were identified but the number of cases d ropped rapidly over the years. In the 20...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research