Practical experiences in application of hair fatty acid ethyl esters and ethyl glucuronide for detection of chronic alcohol abuse in forensic cases

Fetal exposure to ethanol: relationship between ethyl glucuronide in maternal hair during pregnancy and ethyl glucuronide in neonatal meconium

“…These low concentrations in maternal hair EtG could be explained by the effects of cosmetic treatments (e.g. bleaching or dyeing) known to decrease the concentration of this biomarkers especially in female hair [37]. In this instance, certain caution should be kept in mind if simply using a cut-off as definitive proof of abstinence, repeated use or excessive chronic use of alcohol.…”

Interprétation des marqueurs de l’éthanol dans les cheveux (EtG et FAEE) en regard des paramètres sanguins usuels et de leurs fenêtres de détection

“…Cette situation a déjà été décrite par Suesse et al [13] qui retrouvent environ 30 % de résultats opposés. Les auteurs ont surtout observés cette situation chez les femmes, à cause des lotions et des sprays contenant de l'éthanol et qui peuvent conduire à la formation de FAEE, ainsi que par les colorations/ décolorations qui peuvent rendre négatif l'éthyl glucuronide.…”

Toxicological Markers of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

“…Although there is no clear proportionality between daily alcohol dose and EtG concentration in hair, comparative statistical studies with other alcohol markers by ROC (receiver operation characteristics) analysis (Fig. 61.2) showed much better discrimination power (area under curve (AUC) 0.95 to 0.99, indicating a highly accurate test) (Pirro et al 2011;Kharbouche et al 2012;Suesse et al 2012). The cut-off 30 pg/mg in the proximal hair segments with a length of between 3 and 6 cm is recommended for discrimination between social drinkers and excessive alcohol consumers.…”

“…Most of the described alcohol markers with a longer time window were evaluated with respect to discrimination between test (AUC 0.95) (Suesse et al 2012). A basic FAEE level is also found in the hair of strict teetotalers, probably caused by endogenous and alimentary alcohol.…”

“…The combined use of EtG and FAEE in hair is advisable and increases the accuracy of the result since both markers comple- (Suesse et al 2012). Assessment of discrimination power of the tests (Greiner et al 2000): AUC = 0.5, non informative; 0.5 < AUC ≤ 0.7, less accurate; 0.7 < AUC ≤ 0.9, moderately accurate; 0.9 < AUC < 1.0, highly accurate; AUC = 1.0, perfect.…”