Identification of substances interfering with illicit drug testing

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Title Identification of substances interfering with illicit drug testing
Publication Type thesis
School or College School of Medicine
Department Pathology
Author Mikkelsen, Stephen L.
Date 1988-06
Description The response to intensified urine testing for illicit drugs, drug users have attempted to falsify results by several schemes including in vitro adulteration of specimens. Additives that were claimed to invalidate enzyme immunoassay (EIA) drug assays were investigated. An investigation was also undertaken to determine whether adulterated urines could be identified so they might be rejected. Adulterants were added at several concentrations to 222 EIA positive specimens confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for illicit drugs. Specimens were reanalyzed by the EIA screening procedures using a Hitachi 704 analyzer. At the highest concentration evaluated, the adulterants (NaCl, Visine, Vestal medicated liquid handsoap, liquid Drano, liguid Chlorox bleach, Heinz vinegar, golden seal tea, and Real Lemon concentrated lemon juice) interfered with the drug assays differently. Barbiturate assays were affected by Visine, liquid handsoap, Drano and bleach. Cocaine assays were affected by NaCL, Drano and bleach. Opiate assays were affected by NaCl, Drano and bleach. The marijuana assays were affected by all except the lemon juice. The assays were unaffected by lower concentrations. To identify adulterated urines, we monitored pH, relative density, urine color and turbidity at adulterant levels which falsified the EIA results. Specimens contaminated with NaCL has specific gravities greater than 1.035. Liquid Drano, bleach and vinegar produced a urine pH outside of the physiological range. Golden seal tea caused a dark appearance, and specimens containing liquid soap were unusually cloudy. Lemon juice had no effect on the assays. Visine was the only adulterant not detected. Because EIA can be invalidated by specimen adulteration, drug testing should include assessment of pH, specific gravity and appearance. Suspect specimens should be rejected. Because not all adulterants can be detected, observed collection is recommended.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject MESH Substance-Related Disorders; Urine; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Immunoenzyme Techniques; False Negative Reactions; Street Drugs
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Identification of substances interfering with illicit drug testing". Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.
Rights Management © Stephen L. Mikkelsen.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 550,762 bytes
Identifier undthes,4228
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available)
Master File Extent 550,891 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s6q52rjs
Setname ir_etd
ID 191894
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6q52rjs
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