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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 26, Number 4, May/June
pp. 233-235
Technical Note: Application of the CEDIA 6-MAM Assay to
Routine Drugs-of-Abuse Screening
Claire George, Steve George, and Shashi Parmar
The Regional Toxicology Laboratory, City Hospital NHS Trust, Dudley Road, Birmingham,
England, B18 7QH
A total of 1010 urine specimens
obtained from General Practitioners, drug dependency units, and hospitals throughout
the West Midlands were screened using the Microgenics CEDIA 6-monoacetylmorphine
(6-MAM) assay as a means of establishing its effectiveness as a screening technique
to monitor heroin abuse. A total of 282 specimens screened positive for 6-MAM
using the CEDIA 6-MAM assay. However, the presence of 6-MAM could not be confirmed
by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in 21 (7%) of the CEDIA-positive
specimens. Morphine was identified in all of these specimens at free concentrations
ranging between 410 µg/L to 2010 µg/L. The data presented from this
preliminary investigation suggests that either there are substances present
within the urine specimens, as yet undetermined, which are interfering with
the assay or that there may be a greater degree of cross reactivity to other
opiates than previously published. 6-MAM assays may be potentially useful rapid
screening techniques for high-throughput drugs-of-abuse screening laboratories
performing employment and pre-employment screening. However, all positive results
will still need to be confirmed by a more sensitive and specific technique. Reproduction
of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s
permission.
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