A group of researchers from the Department of
Laboratory Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in
Sweden have developed a more donor-friendly
alternative to urine testing for drugs by focusing
on exhaled breath.
Drug testing is most commonly performed using urine
samples. The methodology and regulations for
reliable urine testing are well developed and can be
considered the current gold standard for drug
testing. However, one problem with urine testing is
related to the methodology of sample collection,
often perceived as inconvenient and
privacy-overriding by those undergoing the test.
Other specimens in drug testing include blood, hair,
sweat and even oral fluid (saliva). Blood has the
obvious disadvantage of requiring trained personnel
to take the sample, not to mention that it is far
more intrusive for the donor.
Drug testing on oral fluid (saliva) is well
documented and has even become an integral part of
new drug drive legislation that came into force this
week in the UK.
Professor Olof Beck, lead researcher of the study,
and his team have developed the first fully
validated and robust screening method for the
routine measurement of drugs of abuse in exhaled
breath. The drugs of abuse identified include
amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabis, cocaine
and heroin.
The procedure involves a simple method of sample
collection and preparation, which is followed by a
highly sensitive analytical technique known as LC-MS
(Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry).
“The underlying mechanism in exhaled breath drug
testing is believed to be the formation of aerosol
particles from the airway lining fluid by the
breathing process. These aerosol particles may
become contaminated with drugs present in the body,
which enables drugs to be highlighted. A simple
collection device is currently available which
selectively collects the micrometer aerosol
particles on a filter and enables further laboratory
investigation of possible drug content,” explained
Prof. Beck.
When asked if he could foresee this method of drug
testing being used routinely, for example, in
roadside tests relating to DUID (Driving Under the
Influence of Drugs), Prof. Beck said, “Yes, I see
many possible applications of breath drug testing.
DUID is only one; workplace, criminal justice,
accidents and compliance monitoring of patients are
others. For DUID, the short detection time is
relevant since the state of influence is in focus,
and this combined with the convenient sampling
procedure makes it an attractive solution for
roadside testing.”
For more information
“Method
validation and application of a liquid
chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for
drugs of abuse testing in exhaled breath”
Journal of Chromatography B, Volume 985, 15 March
2015, Pages 189–19, published by Elsevier.
Karolinska Institutet
MDN |