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The stability of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in oral fluid proficiency specimens received between January 2008 and May 2009 was investigated by comparison of the originally reported results with re-analysed specimens using GC/MS.

The ultimate aim of this work is to minimise the variety and complexity of the methods required in a commercial laboratory to extract a range of basic drugs from a buffered saliva sample. Saliva collection is a robust, high integrity and reliable method for on-site sampling, where sample manipulation or adulteration is difficult. Normally each class of drug is extracted separately using an optimised method for each particular class of drugs, this has two major disadvantages:

1. A large selection of solutions and solvents are required.
2. Limited sample volume combined with low drug concentrations.

The work being undertaken is investigating the possibility of using a single generic method for the extraction of a range of basic drugs (Opiates, Benzodiazepine, Amphetamine, Methadone and Cocaine). A generic method would have the advantage of reducing the number of solutions and solvents required and reduce the pressure on a limited sample volume. The extraction methodology is based on the use of Varian’s Plexa DAS SPE cartridge

The use of Thermo Scientific LTQ OrbitrapTM and Applied Biosystems Sciex QTRAP® 5500 instruments were compared to study the in vitro metabolism of stanozolol in the equine. Several major stanozolol metabolites were identified on both instruments, but the use of an elongated HPLC gradient and product ion scanning on the QTRAP® 5500(not subject to the MS/MS low-mass cut-off of the LTQ OrbitrapTM) allowed several additional isomers to be detected and their stereochemistry to be postulated.

A 2008 survey by the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Schemes (UKNEQAS) assessed the nature and quality of testing services for drugs in oral fluid.

Oral fluid is a useful biological specimen to detect recent usage of drugs and has specific advantages over urinalysis. However, the stability of drugs of abuse in the oral fluid/buffer matrix has not been widely studied.

Oral fluid is a useful biological specimen to detect recent usage of drugs and has specific advantages over urinalysis. However, the stability of drugs of abuse in the oral fluid/buffer matrix has not been widely studied.

LC-MS/MS has fast become the technology of choice for the screening of illicit drugs. Two main approaches for tandem MS have been used in this area. The first one is called: Multi-Target-Screening, and the second one is General Unknown Screening. In both cases, these two approaches are limited by the number of entries available in the MS2 library. In this work, we will present a completely new approach based on accurate mass. Confirmation is made using accurate mass detection of the analyte (below 5 ppm) and retention time. Data obtained from real samples is presented and extra parameters used for confirmation of the results is discussed.

There have been a number of published cases of children presenting with drowsiness, bradycardia and seizures associated with ingestion of the popular toy, Bindeez beads (Aqua Dots in the USA). The first published cases were from Australia in 2007. Urine toxicology analysis in these cases was positive for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) due to 1,4 Butanediol (1,4BD) being used in the manufacture of the beads instead of the non-toxic plasticiser 1,5 Pentanediol (1,5PD). 1,4BD is metabolised to GHB which is responsible for the toxicity seen in bindeez beads ingestion cases.
Subsequent to these cases there was a world-wide withdrawal of Bindeez beads products in November 2007 - 4.2 million toys were recalled from the US market. However, since the product withdrawal, cases of ingestion have continued, including a recently reported case in the UK. We report here analytical results of blood and serum samples from this case(previous reported cases have only involved urine analysis) together with preliminary results of analysis of the beads.

The clinical features seen in case 1 were consistent with GBL toxicity, and the 3-FMC was consistent with the history. Case 2 is the first known case of toxicity from lone use of mephedrone. Clinicians and analytical toxicologists should be aware of the potential for use of these compounds in patients presenting with signs of sympathomimetic toxicity.

DFSA is a problem. Its prevalence is badly documented because data are difficult to collect. There is often significant delay in the victim presenting to the police after the event, the histories are vague and incomplete, there is a wide range of drugs of potential interest, and the
analysis and interpretation of findings is complex.