An assessment of oral fluid drug screening devices

Abstract

This project was to examine point-of-contact (POC) oral fluid drug screening devices to determine the suitability of such devices for potential use in the enforcement of drug-impaired driving in Canada. Oral fluid samples were collected from a group of individuals who admitted to having recently ingested drugs as well as a number of individuals who had not been using drugs. These samples were tested on one of three oral fluid screening devices to determine the presence of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Each participant also provided a second oral fluid sample that was sent to a reference laboratory for independent analysis. Comparison of the results from the oral fluid screening device and those from the laboratory analysis provided estimates of sensitivity and specificity for each of the six drugs/drug categories. Sensitivity exceeded 0.80 for cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids. False positive rates for these drugs/drug categories were all between 3% and 7%. Specificity exceeded 0.90 for all drugs/drug categories. These findings indicate that oral fluid screening could prove to be a valuable tool in the detection of driver drug use in Canada.

Prevalence of illicit substance use among patients presenting to the emergency department with acute behavioural disturbance: Rapid point‐of‐care saliva screening

“…Participants were screened using the Securetec DrugWipe 5S, an immunological rapid screening test for the detection of cannabis, meth/amphetamines (including 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine [MDMA], ecstasy), cocaine and opiates. DrugWipe was chosen because of high reliability, short collection time and small volume of saliva (20 μL) required . Sensitivity is reported at 94% for cannabis, 100% for meth/amphetamine, cocaine and opiates.…”

“…Point‐of‐care (POC) saliva tests are quick, non‐intrusive, and potentially easier to collect than urinalysis. The POC saliva drug tests have been investigated in roadside drug testing and in nightlife settings . There have been no studies of feasibility of POC saliva tests among individuals presenting to the ED with acute behavioural disturbance.…”

Thermographic detection and quantification of THC in oral fluid at unprecedented low concentrations

“…Nonetheless, accurate measurement of THC in blood has proven to be challenging as withdrawal of blood samples need to take place in medical facilities, causing a significant delay in sampling (usually 1-2 hours) during which THC concentration in the blood dramatically drops [14]. To overcome this systematic source of error in screening, and allow for proper enforcement of regulations, law enforcement in most jurisdictions have advocated and, even regulated, the use of devices that screen and measure THC in accessible bodily fluids such as oral fluid [15]. Screening THC in oral fluid allows for easy collection of samples in public and provides rapid analysis without the need for sophisticated equipment and highly trained/medical personnel.…”

Microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for the trace analysis of cocaine in water and body fluids

“…While a decline has been observed in North America and Europe, new markets have emerged in South America, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. However, due to limitations in the sensitivity of most methods, 6,7 cocaine can be directly detected in saliva only during 10 hours after consumption or indirectly up to 24 hours by detecting benzoylecgonine. To monitor and adapt certain drug policies, governments must rely mostly on laboratory techniques 3 to detect cocaine or its more stable metabolite benzoylecgonine.…”

“…5 Interest in oral fluids as an alternative drug testing matrix to blood or urine is increasing due to its straightforward, non-invasive collection and reduced adulteration potential. However, due to limitations in the sensitivity of most methods, 6,7 cocaine can be directly detected in saliva only during 10 hours after consumption or indirectly up to 24 hours by detecting benzoylecgonine. 8 Analyzing for its metabolite in urine, this time range can be extended to almost a week but will not be efficient for regular consumers for which urine samples are always contaminated with metabolites.…”