Evaluation of a Rapid Oral Fluid Point-of-Care Test for MDMA
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – March 01, 2007
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
An innovative lateral flow technology effectively detected MDMA in oral fluid samples, achieving a remarkable accuracy of 96.8% with a sample size of 370. Using the Cozart RapiScan System, 121 samples tested positive for MDMA or methamphetamine, although six were confirmed negative due to high amphetamine levels. When applying a higher confirmation cutoff of 50 ng/mL, sensitivity slightly improved to 98.3%. This advancement in forensic toxicology enhances drug detection capabilities, particularly for substances like MDMA and methamphetamine, leveraging chromatographic techniques.
Abstract
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.