Measurement of direct ethanol metabolites in a case of a former driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol offender, now claiming abstinence

Wurst, Friedrich Martin; Yegles, Michel; Alling, Christer; Aradóttir, Steina; Dierkes, Jutta; Wiesbeck, Gerhard A.; Halter, Claudia C.; Pragst, F.; Auwaerter, Volker

doi:10.1007/s00414-007-0218-y

Cited by 38 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…An example was described by Wurst et al where in a case of drink drive, the most recent section of hair was negative in contrast with a positive EtG found in distal parts of the hair when the individual was convicted of drink drive [14]. The negative EtG result in this particular case was obviously conclusive and any loss of EtG due to normal hygiene was less relevant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…In the literature there are many papers reporting different cut-off levels to indicate abstinence, moderate and alcohol abuse [11][12][13][14][15][16]. However, there is also a consensus that positive result above cut-off should not be regarded as definitive, above certain levels it would imply that the subject has a probable alcohol abuse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testing for alcohol use in hair: is ethyl glucuronide (EtG) stable in hair?

Tsanaclis¹,

Kingston²,

Wicks³

2009

Ann Toxicol Anal

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-Purpose: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a biological marker in hair used to indicate abstinence or excessive alcohol consumption. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the stability of EtG in hair samples as it can potentially be affected by normal hygiene, and affect interpretation of the results. Methods: EtG was measured by GC-MS/MS in 102 hair samples, which were sectioned in three monthly sections when available to produce 291 sections of hair (sectioned set) and 468 hair samples (not sectioned set), where the most recent centimetre was analysed. Results: The 95% percentiles of the EtG levels detected in the not sectioned set and in the first section of the sectioned set were 0.23 ng/mg (N = 468) and 0.22 ng/mg (N = 102), respectively. The 95% percentiles of the levels detected in the second sections and in the third sections were 0.15 ng/mg (N = 102) and 0.10 ng/mg (N = 87), respectively. Levels were below cut-off (0.01 ng/mg) in 61% in the not sectioned set and 67% in the sectioned set. Of the samples where EtG was detected, the second section samples showed mean EtG levels 74% lower the levels detected in the first section. The mean levels detected of EtG in third section were 62% the levels of the second section and 47% the levels detected in the first section. Analysis of variance showed the levels of the third section significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the first section. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that normal hair hygiene might wash out EtG from the hair. The recommendation is therefore that only the most recent month must reliably monitor abstinence or chronic alcohol abuse using head hair and that data should be evaluated in conjunction with other biochemical tests and clinical evaluation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing for alcohol use in hair: is ethyl glucuronide (EtG) stable in hair?

Tsanaclis¹,

Kingston²,

Wicks³

2009

Ann Toxicol Anal

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“…In contrast to enzymatic markers, such as GGT or CDT, they are formed even by minor and singular ethanol intake [20,21]. They are detectable in body liquids and post-mortem tissues and are useful markers for alcohol consumed up to several hours before sampling or death (pre-mortem alcohol consumption markers) [4,8,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

In vitro study of bacterial degradation of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate

et al. 2008

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Recent studies show that ethyl glucuronide (EtG) can be decomposed by bacteria; whilst so far no degradation of ethyl sulphate (EtS) has been observed. In the present study, in vitro experiments with bacterial colonies were performed. Bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium sordellii) were isolated from autopsy material (liver, heart blood, urine, ascites, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid) tested for beta-glucuronidase activity, and three bacterial strains were added to nutrient-deficient medium containing EtG and/or EtS and incubated at 36 +/- 1 degrees C. Samples were taken after various intervals up to 11 days, and EtG and EtS were determined by electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). EtG was degraded by E. coli and C. sordellii--complete degradation occurred in the range of 3-4 days--and these bacteria exhibited beta-glucuronidase activity. EtS was not affected within 11 days of incubation.

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“…For DAA direct (ethyl glucuronide EtG, ethyl sulfate EtS, fatty acid ethyl esters FAEE) and indirect markers (carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT, γ-glutamyl transferase GGT, mean corpuscular volume MCV, aspartate aminotransferase ASAT, alanine aminotransferase ALAT) are used [4]. However, EtG in hair (hEtG) often is the only direct marker for abstinence monitoring during DAA in Switzerland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%