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Abstract

A device configured to collect a blood sample comprising a capillary means, wherein the capillary means is configured to collect and dry the blood sample and comprises an effective amount of a distributed inhibitor of phospholipase D. The device may be configured to receive, transport and collect a blood sample comprising a compartment in fluid connection with the capillary means, wherein the capillary means is configured to collect and dry the blood sample and comprises an effective amount of a distributed PLD inhibitor. The device may be a microfluidic device comprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion comprising a capillary means configured to collect and dry the blood sample, and optionally a metering function, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an effective amount of a distributed PLD inhibitor. The PLD inhibitor is distributed in a water soluble film, preferably a PVA film, or in an absorbent paper or polymer or in the capillary means. The PLD inhibitor may be selected from a salt of a transition metal belonging to column 5 or 6 of the periodic table, a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten, a salt comprising a vanadium oxyanion and a salt comprising a tungsten oxyanion, and/or at least one of NaVO3 (sodium metavanadate) and Na2WO4 (sodium tungstate). A method of preparing a sample for analysis of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) comprises providing a blood sample with a volume of less than 10 ml to the device; contacting the blood sample with at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D selected from at least one of a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten; and admitting inhibition of phospholipase D so formation of PEth is blocked.

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