Cozart RapiScan Research Articles

Voltammetric detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma) in saliva in low cost systems

The consumption of ecstasy has increased in recent years due to the psychostimulating effects of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), its main active ingredient. With that, there is a great concern on the part of the authorities, mainly for the control of drivers who drive under the influence of drugs. The verification of the drug use is usually made by the presence of its metabolites in blood or urine, but alternative matrices such as oral fluid, sweat and hair have been investigated over past decades. For the oral fluid the collection is simple, noninvasive, and less susceptible to adulteration and can be used to show recent use of the drug. Portable equipment such as Drugwipe®, Cozart RapiScan, and Ora-Check are routinely used because they easy and simple to operate and give the result quickly. Another technique that features portability and easy handling is electrochemistry. This work demonstrates that it is possible to identify MDMA in oral fluid using the carbon paste electrode, as working and auxiliary electrodes, and the screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The presence of the drug could also be identified in real saliva, mixed with 0.1 mol L−1 LiClO4 as supporting electrolyte, in a concentration of 2.53 µg mL−1, demonstrating that it can be applied to identify the recent use of the drug, as well as the rapid tests already commercialized. Also, SPCE was used for the detection and quantification of MDMA in seized samples, using aqueous solution of 0.1 mol L−1 LiClO4, with limits of detection and quantification of 1.75 and 5.82 µg mL−1, respectively, and a linear range of 1.75 – 19.98 µg mL−1. These results support the use of these procedures in forensic laboratories as simple, rapid, and alternative methods for detecting MDMA in saliva and for analyzing seized drugs.

A rapid and sensitive method for the identification of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in oral fluid by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A fast and sensitive method was developed for detecting delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method is suitable for samples of small volume and low concentration. For method development and validation, neat oral fluid (200 μL) spiked with THC and d(3)-THC (internal standard) was extracted via liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The LLE method had an extraction efficiency of 75% with no significant matrix effects observed in either diluted or neat oral fluid samples. LC was performed on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 Rapid Resolution HT column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 μm particle size) with positive electrospray ionisation and selected reaction monitoring. The total run time was an efficient 3.5 min in isocratic elution mode. The limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL and the analysis was linear over the range of 1-500 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The imprecision (RSD) of the method was 13% and inaccuracy (MRE) was 4%. The method was subsequently applied to two neat oral fluid samples taken from a chronic cannabis smoker. It was also applied to buffer diluted residual oral fluid samples (n=48) collected using the Cozart RapiScan(®) system through the Roadside Drug Testing Program (RDTP) in NSW, Australia. A stability study was performed that revealed freezing or refrigerating resulted in comparable decreases in THC recovery from neat oral fluid at the end of two weeks of storage. Storage at room temperature even for one day invoked significant losses and is not recommended.

Stability of Methadone and Its Main Metabolite in Oral Fluid

Saliva is a readily available specimen that can be collected by non-invasive procedures and contains many drugs of interest in screening and diagnosis. It is obtained by a painless and non invasive method of sampling; it contains the free fraction of drugs and therefore it is a good indicator of intoxication state. Inspite of its usefulness, only a few studies on long-term storage have been conducted for some drugs of abuse, while methadone stability have not been investigated yet. This lack in standardization and the scarcity of analytical protocols actually restrict saliva applications. Authors studied methadone stability on saliva during 12 months. Fifty-nine saliva samples were collected from heroin addicts in methadone treatment with the Cozart Rapiscan Collection procedure. The samples, spiked with tri-deuterated internal standards analogs of methadone and 2-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-pyrrolinium perchlorate (EDDP), were submitted to Solid Phase MicroExtraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) technique. Quantitative determinations of methadone and EDDP were performed immediately and after various intervals (one month, two months, twelve months). The results obtained from this experiment show that methadone is sufficiently stable at 4 degrees C until 2 months, while a decrease have been observed for EDDP. These preliminary data prove the need to perform the analysis in a brief time, to avoid loss of EDDP. For the correct use of this biological matrix, more research and guidelines are recommended for drug testing on saliva.

Cozart®RapiScan Oral Fluid Drug Testing System validation by GC-MS/MS analysis

Introduction : The increasing number of traffic deaths related to the use of drugs of abuse has made indispensable the use of roadside tests in an easy and fast way. The test most commonly used in Spain is the immunoassay-based Cozart RapiScan Oral Fluid Drug Testing System. Due to the great number of analysis, it has become essential to validate this test by using more sensible methods. Accordingly, a test validation that combines analysis by gas chromatography and detection by mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) has been considered. Methods : The total number of samples examined in this study includes 216 cases collected on the road by traffic police and analyzed by a roadside test. Positive samples were confirmed by GC-MS/MS. Results : Among the 216 cases examined with the oral fluid test, 155 cases were positive and 61 were negative. In the analysis carried out by using GC-MS/MS, 158 were positive and 58 were negative. Conclusion : The results supports the reliability of the oral fluid test as a method for the detection of narcotic substances in situ , though later confirmation is recommended using a more sensitive method.

Evaluation of a Rapid Oral Fluid Point-of-Care Test for MDMA

Cozart Bioscience Limited has developed novel lateral flow technology that allows the detection of drugs of abuse in biological fluids and suspect powders. This paper describes the application of this technology for the detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in oral fluid. Samples (N = 370) were obtained from the analytical laboratory at Cozart Bioscience Limited following their routine analysis for drugs of abuse. Oral fluid samples were screened for the presence of MDMA and methamphetamine using the Cozart RapiScan System (CRS) and then confirmed for the presence of amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, and MBDB) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition to the detection of MDMA and methamphetamine, the CRS cross-reacts with high levels of amphetamine to give a positive result. One hundred and twenty-one samples screened positive using the CRS. Six of these samples were confirmed negative for MDMA and methamphetamine, but contained very high levels of amphetamine. Employing a screening cutoff of 45 ng/mL for the CRS and a confirmation cutoff of 30 ng/mL for GC-MS, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 96.6, 96.8, and 96.8%, respectively. When applying the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommended confirmation cutoff for amphetamines of 50 ng/mL, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy increased marginally to 98.3, 96.9, and 97.3%, respectively.

Madde Etkisi Şüphesi Altındaki Sürücülerde Tükürük Analizi

İlaç/maddelerin trafik kazalarına etkisi bir çok yayında gösterilmiştir. Son on yılda, yol üzerinde uygulanabilen madde testleriyle ilişkili birçok gelişme meydana gelmiştir. Kötüye kullanımı olan maddelerin etkisi altındaki sürücünün saptanmasına yönelik hızlı, güvenilir ve kolay uygulanabilir yol üzeri testler, ter, idrar ve tükürük gibi alternatif matriksler üzerine odaklanmıştır. Avrupa birliği ROSITA projesi (Road Side Testing Assessment), kannabinoid, opiat, amfetamin ve türevlerinin yüksek prevalans gösterdiği birçok yasadışı maddenin, farklı biyolojik matrikslerde bulunduğunu göstermiştir. Ege Üniversitesi ve İzmir Emniyet müdürlüğü’nün işbirliği ve Cozart firmasının katkılarıyla bu proje gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu projenin amacı, bu yol üzeri uygulanan testin kullana-bilirliği ve uygulanabilirliği yanında polis tarafından karşılaşabilecek problemleri saptamaktır. Bu çalışmada trafik kontrol noktalarında randomize olarak seçilen 25 araç sürücüsünde solunum havasında etilalkol analizi yanında tükürükte kötüye kullanımı olan maddelerin analizi için Cozart Bioscience Ra-piscan 5’li tükürük panel testi (kannabinoid, amfetamin, kokain, opiat ve benzodiazepin) uygulanmıştır. Kişiler gönüllü onam formunu imzalayarak çalışmaya katılmışlardır. Doğrulama GC-MS’le yapılmış; oral sıvıda MDA 65 ng/mL ve MDMA 180 ng/mL olarak bulunmuştur.Anahtar kelimeler: Madde etkisi altında taşıt sürme, yol üzeri madde testi, tükürük

Comparison of GC-MS and EIA Results for the Analysis of Methadone in Oral Fluid

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the performance characteristics of the Cozart Microplate Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) for the determination of methadone in oral fluid from patients in a drug misuse treatment program. Oral fluid specimens were collected using the Cozart RapiScan Collection system from 198 donors who were receiving treatment for their addiction and were monitored for drug misuse. Oral fluid specimens were also collected from forty volunteer donors who were not drug users. The specimens were analyzed in the laboratory by EIA and then analysed for methadone and its main metabolite EDDP by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 103 samples were confirmed positive for methadone. The Cozart Microplate EIA for d-Methadone in oral fluid using a cutoff of 30 ng/mL in diluted oral fluid had a sensitivity of 91.3% +/- 2.8% and a specificity of 100% +/- 1.0% vs. GC-MS.

Evaluation of the Cozart ® RapiScan drug test system for opiates and cocaine in oral fluid

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Cozart ® RapiScan (CRS) drug test system for detecting opiates and cocaine in oral fluid. Oral fluid samples were collected using the Cozart ® RapiScan collection system from 358 donors who were receiving treatment for their addiction and were monitored for drug misuse. A further 103 oral fluid samples were collected from volunteer donors who were not drug users. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory using the two-panel Cozart ® RapiScan cartridge for opiates and cocaine and confirmed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The samples were stored frozen at −20 °C until analysis by GC–MS. The overall accuracy of the CRS for both opiates and cocaine was 100%. Samples spiked at 50% above and below the cut-off consistently gave negative and positive results respectively. A total of 88 samples were positive for various opiates and 111 samples were positive for cocaine and/or its metabolites. The CRS for opiates and cocaine in oral fluid, using a cut-off of 30 ng/mL morphine or benzoylecgonine equivalents in neat oral fluid, had overall efficiencies of 98% and 99%, respectively, versus GC–MS. A series of potential adulterants of oral fluid were evaluated and shown not to alter the outcome of the test result.

Validation of the Cozart(R) Microplate EIA for Cocaine and Metabolites in Oral Fluid

The purpose of these studies was to determine the performance characteristics of the Cozart microplate EIA for the detection of cocaine and cocaine metabolites in oral fluid. A total of 217 samples were collected using the Cozart RapiScan oral fluid Collection System from donors who were receiving treatment and being monitored for their addiction. The samples were screened in the laboratory using the Cozart microplate EIA for cocaine and metabolites and confirmed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The samples were stored frozen until analysis by GC-MS. Of the 217 samples tested, 116 were positive for cocaine and/or cocaine metabolites. The Cozart microplate EIA for cocaine, using a cutoff of 30 ng/mL benzoylecgonine equivalents in neat oral fluid, had a sensitivity of 95.7% +/- 2.0% and specificity of 100% +/- 0.7%. A series of potential adulterants of oral fluid were evaluated and shown not to alter the outcome of the test result.

Is oral fluid analysis as accurate as urinalysis in detecting drug use in a treatment setting?

Background: Technology for testing oral fluid (OF) for the presence of drugs is available for treatment services and is more attractive than urinalysis: its validity is not well established. Aims: Compare the accuracy of methods of on-site testing of OF and urine. Design: Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of on-site testing of samples of OF and urine collected on the same occasion, using subsequent blind laboratory analysis of the same urine samples as the standard. Setting: British addiction treatment service. Participants: 157 drug dependent persons, 89% with evidence of opiates, 73% male, and 85% aged between 20 and 35 years. Measurements: Assessment of presence of four drugs using SYVA ETS urinalysis and Cozart Rapiscan OF Drug Test systems. Laboratory urinalysis using microplate enzyme-immunoassay technique. Results: The sensitivity of OF tests and urinalysis were, respectively, for opiates 91 and 91%, methadone 91 and 94%, and benzodiazepines 6 and 72%. The specificity of OF tests and urinalysis were, respectively, for opiates 78 and 67%, methadone 90 and 95%, and benzodiazepines 95 and 96%. Amphetamine usage was rare. Conclusions: OF testing is as accurate as urinalysis in detecting the presence of opiates and methadone, and the absence of methadone and benzodiazepines.

Cozart Rapiscan System: our experience with saliva tests

International literature has devoted many contributions to the evaluation of alternative biological matrices (such as saliva) as diagnostic tools in drug testing. The immunoassay Cozart Rapiscan saliva drug system, has been studied in recent years. In the present paper we report our experience with saliva collection and the quali–quantitative determination of drugs of abuse. Fifty-nine saliva samples were collected by the Cozart Rapiscan pad. Qualitative analyses were carried out by Cozart Rapiscan System and the results were confirmed by a solid-phase microextraction–GC–MS technique. Quantitative determinations were performed for methadone and its metabolite by GC–MS technique. The Cozart System provides collection and transfer procedures more easily than other systems, requiring minimal operator intervention.

Blind Trials of an Onsite Saliva Drug Test for Marijuana and Opiates

The objective of these clinical trials was to calculate the performance, limit of detection, specificity and sensitivity of a novel, semi-quantitative immunoassay for drugs of abuse in saliva and to determine operator bias when measured blind by four different operators. The test is based on lateral flow gold particle technology coupled with digital photography to provide a semi-quantitative end point. The performance of the test was compared with that of enzyme immunoassays and GC/MS methods. Volunteers consumed marijuana or codeine and their saliva was collected 0.25 to 24 h later with the Cozart RapiScan collection device. The sensitivity and specificity of the opiate test were both 100%+/-10.4% for codeine for 9 h after dosing. The cutoff of the marijuana test at 10 ng/mL THCA was too high to detect marijuana use for more than a few hours after smoking. There was no operator bias because the results were presented in written form either as "positive" or "negative" for each of the five drug classes on the screen of the hand-held reader.