Micromethod for estimating adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper.

We describe a fluorometric micromethod for measuring adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper. Earlier methods require venipuncture and preparation of washed erythrocytes; in the present method, whole capillary blood, spotted on filter paper and mailed (dried) to a central laboratory, is used. The stability of the enzyme in dried blood on filter paper was assessed. The results were compared with those of a spectrophotometric method. The presence of serum appears not to affect the estimation of the activity and the method may be useful in early detection of severe combined immunodeficiency disease and hereditary hemolytic anemia.