# Evaluation of the Performance of New Fluorescence Immunoassay POCTs for Determining the Value of Vitamin D in Whole Blood

## TL;DR

This study evaluates a new rapid test for measuring vitamin D levels in whole blood and finds it reliable compared to a standard lab method.

## Contribution

The study introduces and validates a new point-of-care fluorescence immunoassay for measuring vitamin D in whole blood.

## Key findings

- AFIAS-1® showed strong correlation with UHPLC-MS/MS for measuring 25-OH-D levels.
- The new method is suitable for decentralized healthcare settings due to its speed and automation.

## Abstract

VD (VD), a hormone-like, fat-soluble molecule, is essential for several biological processes, such as gene regulation, calcium balance, bone health, immune function, antiviral defense, and neuromuscular activity. Its deficiency is associated with various disorders, including chronic hypocalcemia and increased risk of severe diseases, such as COVID-19. Monitoring 25-hydroxyVD (25-OH-D) levels is vital, with serum 25-OH-VD being the standard marker. While chromatography and immunometric assays are well-established, innovative point-of-care (POC) platforms like AFIAS-1® (Boditech & Menarini, Gangwon, Republic of Korea) are emerging as rapid and automated alternatives, particularly advantageous for decentralized settings such as pharmacies, general practitioners’ offices, and specialized hospital centers like intensive care units. This study compared AFIAS-1® using whole blood with the gold standard UHPLC-MS/MS using plasma in 50 samples, showing a strong correlation and confirming AFIAS-1® as a reliable method for measuring 25-OH-D levels.