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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 24,
Number 7, October,
pp. 557-561
Here is where the title stuff goes
Detection of Cannabis
in Oral Fluid (Saliva) and Forehead Wipes (Sweat) from Impaired Drivers
Pascal
Kintz, Vincent Cirimele, and Bertrand Ludes
Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, F-67000 Strasbourg,
France
Saliva and
sweat have been presented as two alternative matrices for the establishment
of drug abuse. The noninvasive collection of a saliva or sweat sample, which
is relatively easy to perform and can be achieved under close supervision,
is one of the most important benefits in a driving-under-the-influence situation.
Moreover, the presence of certain analytes in saliva is a better indication
of recent use than when the drug is detected in urine, so there is a higher
probability that the subject is experiencing pharmacological effects at the
time of sampling. We developed an original procedure using gas chromatography–mass
spectrometry to test for D9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, in oral fluid and forehead
wipes, collected with Sarstedt Salivettes™ and cosmetic pads, respectively.
Blood, urine, oral fluid, and forehead wipes were simultaneously collected
from 198 injured drivers admitted to an Emergency Hospital in Strasbourg,
France. Of the 22 subjects positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) in
urine, 14 and 16 were positive for THC in oral fluid (1 to 103 ng/Salivette)
and forehead wipe (4 to 152 ng/pad), respectively. 11-Hydroxy-THC and THCCOOH
were not detected in these body fluids. Two main limitations of saliva and
sweat are apparent: the amount of matrix collected is smaller when compared
to urine, and the levels of drugs are higher in urine than in saliva and sweat.
A current limitation in the use of these specimens for roadside testing is
the absence of a suitable immunoassay that detects the parent compound in
sufficiently low concentrations.
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