Interpretation of drug concentrations in an alternative matrix: the case of meprobamate in bile.
Investigating toxicological causes of death may require alternative matrices when the usual ones are lacking. Whereas forensic toxicology uses bile almost only for xenobiotic screening, a diagnostic test interpreting postmortem bile concentrations of meprobamate is reported. Based on 128 sets of autopsy data, its intrinsic qualities were good, with 0.95 sensitivity and 0.93 specificity. In a French forensic population, the positive and negative predictive factors were 0.90 and 0.97, respectively. It is a useful means of revealing overdoses where blood samples are not available or of confirming blood tests when postmortem redistribution is suspected.
Fanton
L
L
Université de Lyon, Lyon, 69003, France. Laurent.fanton@adm.univ-lyon1.fr
Bevalot
F
F
Gustin
M P
MP
Paultre
C Z
CZ
Le Meur
C
C
Malicier
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology / Q000379:methods; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000032:analysis*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008620:Meprobamate / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008620:Meprobamate