title: Microbial and chemical analysis of illicit drugs samples confiscated from different areas of PakistanMicrobial and chemical analysis of illicit drugs samples confiscated from different areas of Pakistan.
abstract: The microbial and chemical analysis of illicit drug samples from different areas of Pakistan i.e. Quetta, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad was conducted in a cross-sectional study at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. The drug samples were confiscated by Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan. Microbial analysis was done by estimating bioburden which revealed the presence of gram negative and positive bacteria's, fungus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus species. Trypton soya agar was used for total aerobic count, MacConkey agar for gram-negative bacteria, Sabouraud dextrose agar for fungus and Vogel-Johnson agar for Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Colour tests were applied to identify the drug samples. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of suspected samples of Heroin, morphine, cocaine and acetic anhydride was made by employing different chromatographic techniques i.e. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The samples were found to be adulterated with paracetamol, diazepam and Dextromethorphen. Acetic anhydride was adulterated with hydrochloric acid (HCl). There is lack of information providing structured advice on responses to the consequences of illicit drug adulteration. Robust and rehearsed interventions and communication strategies would provide a basis for response for a wide variety of organisations. Research into the usefulness of media warnings about adulteration of illicit drugs is required.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Quaid-e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zainab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khattak
authors.affiliation: International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sidra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farnaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Sargodha University, Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Humayun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Atif
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Quaid-e Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Samiullah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004340:Drug Contamination; D064423:Drug Trafficking; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010154:Pakistan; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs