[Evaluation of an immunological new kit used in the toxicological screening of benzodiazepines in hospital emergency care units].
Benzodiazepines are mostly used for their antianxiety and sedative effects. In recent years, new compounds have been developed with a hypnotic action. Although marked toxicity is uncommon with the use of these compounds, the clinician requires a rapid laboratory report in emergency and intensive care units in case of self-poisoning. To reduce the incidence of false-negative results routinely observed with our enzyme immunoassay kit (Emit tox benzodiazepine), the performance of a new kit (Emit dau benzodiazepine) was evaluated in 57 patients who had taken an overdose of benzodiazepines. Results were compared with those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a diode array detector and giving a semi-quantitative result. Seventy-four percent of the patients studied gave readings above the cut-off value, which was consistent with benzodiazepine intoxication, according to the results of the specific HPLC analysis (bromazepam, triazolam, alprazolam and flunitrazepam were clearly identified). No false negatives were obtained in this study with the Emit dau benzodiazepine. Finally, HPLC is unsuitable in the emergency setting; the enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique is the most appropriate method used in cases of self-poisoning with benzodiazepines having a low therapeutic index.
Laboratoire de toxicologie et de pharmacocinétique, hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
G
G
Zorza
D
D
Brun-Ney
B
B
Delhotal Landes
B
B
Flouvat
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D017248:Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D001569:Benzodiazepines
Evaluation d'une nouvelle trousse immunologique utilisée dans le dépistage toxicologique des benzodiazépines en médecine d'urgence hospitalière.