US EPA

2849810 

Journal Article 

Cross-reaction of propyl and butyl alcohol glucuronides with an ethyl glucuronide enzyme immunoassay 

Arndt, T; Beyreiß, R; Schröfel, S; Stemmerich, K 

2014 

Yes 

Forensic Science International
ISSN: 0379-0738
EISSN: 1872-6283 

241 

84-86 

English 

24887323 

10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.05.015 

BACKGROUND: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in urine is considered a marker of recent alcohol consumption. Using immunoassays for EtG screening without confirmatory analysis bears a risk of getting false-positives as shown for trichloroethyl glucuronide from chloral hydrate medication and 1-propyl glucuronide from propanol-based hand disinfection. The aim of the study was to check whether glucuronides of frequently used aliphatic short chain alcohols aside from EtG and 1-propyl glucuronide can cross-react with the DRI(®) Ethyl Glucuronide Assay.

METHODS: Aliquots of EtG-free urine were individually spiked with methyl β-D-glucuronide, 1-propyl β-D-glucuronide, 2-propyl β-D-glucuronide, 1-butyl β-D-glucuronide, 2-butyl β-D-glucuronide, and tert-butyl β-D-glucuronide. To check the response rate of the DRI(®) Ethyl Glucuronide Assay to its target analyte, EtG was also added to a native EtG-free urine sample. The spiked alcohol glucuronide concentrations (seven levels up to 10mg/L) and the DRI(®) Ethyl Glucuronide Assay results were evaluated by Passing-Bablok regression analysis. The 95% confidence interval ranges for the slope of the regression function were considered a measure of cross-reaction of the individual alcohol glucuronides with the enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS: 2-Propyl glucuronide showed a cross-reactivity of 69-84% at the 95% probability level, methyl glucuronide, 1-propyl glucuronide, and 1- and 2-butyl glucuronide of 4-9%, and tert-butyl glucuronide almost no cross-reactivity. The response rate for EtG was 87-94% at the 95% probability level.

CONCLUSION: The DRI(®) Ethyl Glucuronide Assay shows cross-reaction rates with aliphatic short chain alcohol glucuronides aside from EtG which bear a risk of getting false-positives regarding ethanol consumption. Mass spectrometric detection of EtG is mandatory for confirmation of positive immunological EtG screenings. 

Abstinence; Alcohol marker; Butyl glucuronide; False-positives; Methyl glucuronide; Propyl glucuronide