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An evaluation of the cut-off value of methamphetamine in hair samples via HPLC-MS/MS. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 306:110094. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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2
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Pascali JP, Palumbo D, Umani Ronchi F, Mari F, Fioravanti A, Bertol E. Ethyl Glucuronide Concentration in Hair of Detainees: A Preliminary Study. J Forensic Sci 2020; 65:189-192. [PMID: 31310667 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Through the measurement of ethyl glucuronide in hair (hETG), it is possible to assess chronic alcohol abuse over time. In this paper, we present a study on hETG in Italian prison inmates. Analyses were performed by LC-MS according to a previously published method. Results were evaluated using the cut-offs established by the Society of Hair Testing. Positives samples (ETG > 30 pg/mg) accounted for 6% of all subjects, with concentrations ranging from 42 pg/mg up to 270 pg/mg, abstinent subjects (ETG < 7 pg/mg) accounted for 88%, and moderate alcohol consumption (7 < ETG < 30 pg/mg) for 6% of the subjects. No females displayed ETG values above 30 pg/mg. Among positive samples, only two subjects did not declare heavy alcohol consumption and were found strongly positive at 210 and 270 pg/mg. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first study on ETG hair concentration on prison inmates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Paola Pascali
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Palumbo
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Mari
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Fioravanti
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bertol
- Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
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3
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Biondi A, Freni F, Carelli C, Moretti M, Morini L. Ethyl glucuronide hair testing: A review. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 300:106-119. [PMID: 31096163 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a minor, non-oxidative ethanol metabolite that can be detected in several matrices (e.g. blood, urine, hair, meconium) for variable periods of time. Quantification of EtG in hair (hEtG) has established itself, over recent years, as one of the most reliable biomarkers of long-term alcohol consumption habits, with the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) offering cut-off values for assessment of both abstinence and heavy drinking (>60 g/day). Despite its high diagnostic performance, however, issues concerning inter- and intra-laboratory variability as well as data interpretation are still being investigated and represent the ultimate barrier to widespread acceptance of hEtG in the forensic context. The aim of this review is to summarize currently available analytical methods of hEtG testing, provide a framework to understand current hEtG cut-offs and their possible upcoming changes (in particular, a lower abstinence cut-off has been proposed for the 2019 revision of the SoHT consensus), and offer a schematic but exhaustive overview of the pitfalls in result reproducibility and interpretation that may limit applications of hEtG testing in the forensic context. Ultimately, the purpose of the authors is not to undermine the reliability of hEtG as an alcohol use marker, but rather to enhance it by promoting familiarization with all aspects related to it, from ethanol pharmacokinetics and EtG incorporation into hair, to sample preparation and analytical methods, to specific cases warranting close attention and additional tests for correct interpretation of hEtG results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biondi
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Freni
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Carelli
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Moretti
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Morini
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Paul R, Tsanaclis L, Murray C, Boroujerdi R, Facer L, Corbin A. Ethyl Glucuronide as a Long-term Alcohol Biomarker in Fingernail and Hair. Matrix Comparison and Evaluation of Gender Bias. Alcohol Alcohol 2019; 54:402-407. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
This work aimed to assess the performance of hair and fingernail ethyl glucuronide (EtG) measurement for use as a biomarker of alcohol consumption in persons with known drinking history across a range of drinking behaviours.
Methods
EtG concentrations were assessed from the hair and fingernails of 50 study participants. Alcohol consumption of the previous 90 days was assessed by participant interview using the alcohol timeline follow-back method. EtG concentration was determined using LC–MS-MS using a method which was validated and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Results
There was significant correlation between alcohol consumption and EtG concentrations found in hair and fingernail samples across the study group (n = 50). From participants testing positive for EtG (male n = 14, female n = 13) no significant difference was found between male and female EtG levels in either hair or fingernails. Across all participants there was no significant difference in hair or fingernail EtG concentration between male (n = 23) and females (n = 27).
Conclusions
Our results support the use of EtG to indicate alcohol consumption over the previous 90 days, or ~3 months as is the normal practice in hair analysis. The results confirm that fingernails can be a useful alternative matrix where hair samples are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Paul
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, UK
| | - L Tsanaclis
- Cansford Laboratories, Pentwyn Business Centre, 1A Wharfedale Road, Cardiff, UK
| | - C Murray
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, UK
| | - R Boroujerdi
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, UK
| | - L Facer
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, UK
| | - A Corbin
- Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, UK
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Salomone A, Bozzo A, Di Corcia D, Gerace E, Vincenti M. Occupational Exposure to Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers: The Diagnostic Role of Alcohol Biomarkers in Hair. J Anal Toxicol 2018; 42:157-162. [PMID: 29206963 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in hair are effective direct biomarkers of ethanol ingestion, whose analytical determination can be used to discriminate between chronic and occasional ethanol intake. Ethanol is a compound widely used in some workplaces (e.g., clinics, hospitals) and is present in considerable amounts in mouthwash for oral cleaning, medications, cosmetic products, hydro-alcoholic disinfectants and antiseptics for hands. This study examined the ethyl alcohol exposure derived from hand disinfectants (in gel form) by simulating the typical occupational situation of medical-health workers (healthcare workers, nurses, surgeons, etc.) who frequently wash their hands with antiseptic sanitizer. Two types of hand disinfectants with 62% w/w of ethanol content were daily applied to the hands of a teetotaler for 20 times a day, for 4 consecutive weeks, thus simulating a typical workplace situation and a cumulative dermal exposure to ethanol of ~1,100 g. Different matrices (head, chest and beard hair, urine) were regularly sampled and analyzed using a ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem massspectrometry validated method for EtG and a (HS)SPME-GC-MS validated technique for FAEEs. The data obtained showed that a significant dermal absorption and/or inhalation of ethanol occurred, and that the use of detergents produce urinary EtG concentrations both higher than the cut-offs normally used for clinical and forensic analyses (either 100 and 500 ng/mL, depending on the context). The concentrations of the ethanol metabolites in the keratin matrices were, respectively, below the cut-off of 7 pg/mg for EtG and below 0.5 ng/mg for FAAEs (0.35 ng/mg for ethyl palmitate). In conclusion, the regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can affect the concentration of urinary EtG and lead to positive analytical results, particularly when specimens are obtained shortly after sustained use of ethanol-containing hand sanitizer. On the other hand, direct biomarkers of alcohol abuse in the keratin matrix are capable of distinguishing between ethanol consumption and incidental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping "A. Bertinaria", Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - A Bozzo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - D Di Corcia
- Centro Regionale Antidoping "A. Bertinaria", Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - E Gerace
- Centro Regionale Antidoping "A. Bertinaria", Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - M Vincenti
- Centro Regionale Antidoping "A. Bertinaria", Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
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Własiuk P, Alladio E, Salomone A, Vincenti M, Zadora G. Evidence of seasonal variation of ethyl glucuronide in hair: Modeling a seven-year data series. Drug Test Anal 2018; 11:77-85. [PMID: 30051649 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The assessment of chronic excessive alcohol consumption by ethyl glucuronide (EtG) determination in hair is generally based on a cut-off value of 30 pg/mg recognized by regulatory authorities and scientific societies that guide the decision process. The ongoing debate about the risks connected with the straightforward application of this cut-off refers to the factors that may influence the detected EtG concentration. The present contribution to this debate evaluates the seasonal variation of the averaged EtG values along a seven-year period. Over 65 000 data points have been statistically analyzed to provide a mathematical model that interprets the data, gives insight into several influencing factors, and forecasts progressive data-points of the time series. This model shows that there is an annual pattern in the data exhibiting lower EtG concentrations during warm seasons and higher values in cold seasons. The estimated EtG cycles are characterized by the seasonal variation of ±2.78 pg/mg above and below the overall mean (with 5.56 pg/mg absolute difference overall). This seasonal factor associated with EtG quantification might result in a potential source of bias, at least in the regional/climatic conditions observed in the samples' collection area. Moreover, the EtG time series reveals that the change in the sample pre-treatment procedure has an effect on the modeled pattern as an abrupt increment (+38%) in the mean value of the EtG concentration. This change corresponds to the time when the former protocol of cutting hair into small segments before extraction was substituted by pulverization with a ball mill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Własiuk
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.,Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland
| | - Eugenio Alladio
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", Orbassano, (TO), Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", Orbassano, (TO), Italy
| | - Marco Vincenti
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", Orbassano, (TO), Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Zadora
- Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, The University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
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Alladio E, Giacomelli L, Biosa G, Corcia D, Gerace E, Salomone A, Vincenti M. Development and validation of a Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) model based on the determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in hair for the diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 282:221-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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8
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Gerace E, Veronesi A, Martra G, Salomone A, Vincenti M. Study of cocaine incorporation in hair damaged by cosmetic treatments. Forensic Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Salomone A, Baumgartner MR, Lombardo T, Alladio E, Di Corcia D, Vincenti M. Effects of various sample pretreatment procedures on ethyl glucuronide quantification in hair samples: Comparison of positivity rates and appraisal of cut-off values. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 267:60-65. [PMID: 27552703 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of ethylglucuronide (EtG) in hair is nowadays recognized as the approach with the highest diagnostic performance to evaluate harmful drinking. A widely accepted cut-off of 30pg/mg has been selected after several accurate compared studies. While most of the studies that were used to establish the appropriate cut-off value prescribed to cut hair into small segments before their extraction, hair milling has subsequently been identified as the most efficient pretreatment procedure and was therefore recommended in the last Consensus document issued by the Society of Hair Testing. In this study, we initially compared the results obtained with the two sample preparations, namely cutting and milling, both being applied to the same specimens (n=781). Among these, 205 samples produced measurable EtG values with both methods, with differences ranging from -41.7% up to +415% (the mean increase in EtG concentration, switching from cutting to milling, was +62.1% and the median was +42.3%). Among the aforementioned 205 samples, 29 specimens (3.7% of the total 781 samples) produced significantly different outcome, being classified as negative (i.e., below 30pg/mg) if the cutting procedure is used, but largely positive (above 40pg/mg) when milling is used. Subsequently, the positivity rates obtained on a large population dataset (>27,000 samples) with the two procedures, were retrospectively compared using variable cut-offs values. The percentage of head hair samples with EtG concentration exceeding 30pg/mg upon application of the milling procedure shows a 45% increase (from 10.9% to 15.8%) with respect to cutting procedure, whereas the fraction of hair samples with EtG exceeding 40pg/mg (10.5%) overlaps the percentage of positive samples obtained after cutting pretreatment and applying a cut-off of 30pg/mg. On the basis of these results, it would be worth considering the application of cut-off values linked with the pretreatment procedure, taking into account the results of forthcoming inter-laboratory calibrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping A. Bertinaria, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - M R Baumgartner
- Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse 17, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - T Lombardo
- Centro Regionale Antidoping A. Bertinaria, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - E Alladio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - D Di Corcia
- Centro Regionale Antidoping A. Bertinaria, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - M Vincenti
- Centro Regionale Antidoping A. Bertinaria, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
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10
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Burgueño MJ, Alonso A, Sánchez S. Amphetamines and cannabinoids testing in hair: Evaluation of results from a two-year period. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 265:47-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2015] [Revised: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Nanau RM, Neuman MG. Biomolecules and Biomarkers Used in Diagnosis of Alcohol Drinking and in Monitoring Therapeutic Interventions. Biomolecules 2015; 5:1339-85. [PMID: 26131978 PMCID: PMC4598755 DOI: 10.3390/biom5031339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quantitative, measurable detection of drinking is important for the successful treatment of alcohol misuse in transplantation of patients with alcohol disorders, people living with human immunodeficiency virus that need to adhere to medication, and special occupational hazard offenders, many of whom continually deny drinking. Their initial misconduct usually leads to medical problems associated with drinking, impulsive social behavior, and drunk driving. The accurate identification of alcohol consumption via biochemical tests contributes significantly to the monitoring of drinking behavior. METHODS A systematic review of the current methods used to measure biomarkers of alcohol consumption was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases (2010-2015). The names of the tests have been identified. The methods and publications that correlate between the social instruments and the biochemical tests were further investigated. There is a clear need for assays standardization to ensure the use of these biochemical tests as routine biomarkers. FINDINGS Alcohol ingestion can be measured using a breath test. Because alcohol is rapidly eliminated from the circulation, the time for detection by this analysis is in the range of hours. Alcohol consumption can alternatively be detected by direct measurement of ethanol concentration in blood or urine. Several markers have been proposed to extend the interval and sensitivities of detection, including ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate in urine, phosphatidylethanol in blood, and ethyl glucuronide and fatty acid ethyl esters in hair, among others. Moreover, there is a need to correlate the indirect biomarker carbohydrate deficient transferrin, which reflects longer lasting consumption of higher amounts of alcohol, with serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, another long term indirect biomarker that is routinely used and standardized in laboratory medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu M Nanau
- In Vitro Drug Safety and Biotechnology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.
| | - Manuela G Neuman
- In Vitro Drug Safety and Biotechnology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.
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