md-medicaldata

Authors

 

Silviya Stoykova^{1,2 *}, Ivayla Pantcheva¹, Kamen Kanev², Vasil Atanasov^1,2
1 Laboratory of Biocoordination and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski”, 1, J. Bourchier blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
² Emergency Toxicology Clinic, Department of Disaster Medicine and Toxicology,  Military Medical Academy, 3, St. G. Sofiiski str., 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria.

 

• The paper was received on 17.01.2016. / Accepted on 01.03.2016.

 

 

Abstract

 

Confirmatory drug analysis in drivers’ blood samples was performed in Bulgaria (2013-2014). The study was based on 241 samples collected from drivers suspected of driving under influence of drugs (DUID). Data obtained were compared with the results from preliminary oral fluid (OF) testing. The survey showed that the young people aged 18-25 are the main group of drugged drivers. Analytical data from laboratory blood testing indicated that the most common drug of abuse is tetrahydrocannabinol. The combined illicit drug usage by drivers was also frequently detected. Additional comparative analytical study of 50 used on-site devices and their test strips revealed that in-lab analysis of strips as a dried matrix is a suitable alternative to blood testing. The results showed that it is necessary to continue monitoring of both matrices (OF and blood) for the purposes of DUID control and forensic toxicology.

 

 

Key words

Driving under the influence of drugs; Drugs of abuse; Oral fluid and blood testing; Confirmatory and comparative analysis

 

 

References

 

1. Raes E, Verstraete A, Wennig R. Drugs and driving.In: Bogusz MJ, editor. Handbook of Analytical Separations. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2008.p. 611-651.
2. Kerrigan S. Sampling, storage and stability.In: Negrusz A, Cooper G, editors. Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology.London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2013. p. 335-356.
3. Moeller MR, Kraemer T. Drugs of abuse monitoring in blood for control of driving under the influence of drugs. Ther Drug Monit. 2002; 24:210-221.
4. Verstraete AG. Oral fluid testing for driving under the influence of drugs: history, recent progress and remaining challenges. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 150:143-150.
5. Toennes SW, Steinmeyer S, Maurer HJ, Moeller MR, Kauert GF. Screening for Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid - Correlation of Analysis Results with Serum in Forensic Cases. J Anal Toxicol. 2005; 29:22-27.
6. Toennes SW, Kauert GF, Steinmeyer S, Moeller MR. Driving under the influence of drugs - evaluation of analytical data of drugs in oral fluid, serum and urine, and correlation with impairment symptoms. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 152:149-155.
7. Bosker WM, Huestis MA. Oral fluid testing for drugs of abuse. Clin Chem. 2009; 55:1910-1931.
8. Kintz P, Spiehler V, Negrusz A. Alternative specimens.In: Jickells S, Negrusz A, editors. Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology.London: Pharmaceutical Press;2008. p.153-190.
9. Flanagan RJ, Taylor A, Watson ID, Whelpton R. Fundamentals of Analytical Toxicology.Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
10. Cone EJ, Presley L, Lehrer M, Seiter W, Smith M, Kardos KW, Fritch D, Salamone S, Niedbala RS. Oral fluid testing for drugs of abuse: positive prevalence rates by Intercept immunoassay screening and GC-MS-MS confirmation and suggested cutoff concentrations. J Anal Toxicol. 2002; 26:541-546.
11. Kintz P. Traité de toxicologie médico-judiciaire.2nd ed. Elsevier, 2012.
12. Drummer OH. Introduction and review of collection techniques and applications of drug testing of oral fluid. Ther Drug Monit. 2008; 30:203-206.
13. Atanasov VN, Yaneva DY, Velcheva AV, Gluharova VP, Koleva GB, Kanev KP. Drivers drug-testing in Bulgaria:2012. MD-Medical data.2013; 5:19-22.
14. Kauert GF, Iwersen-Bergmann S, SW ToennesSW. Assay of a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid – evaluation of the OraSure oral specimen collection device. J Anal Toxicol. 2006; 30:274-277.
15. Langel K, Engblom C, Pehrsson A, Gunnar T, Ariniemi K, Lillsunde P. Drug testing in oral fluid – evaluation of sample collection devices. J Anal Toxicol. 2008; 32:393-401.

PDF Stoykova S. et al • MD-Medical Data 2016;8(1)