Ocfentanil concentrations in hair: Comparative analysis in a lock of hair versus in a single hair - 27/04/19
Résumé |
Objective |
The use of single hair offers some advantages for example in case of low amount of biological matrices [1 ]. Segmental single hair analysis was compared with segmental hair lock analysis to document a fentanyl analog-related death. A previous fatal case involving ocfentanil (OcF) was focused on conventional matrices and identification of metabolites [2 ]. The aim of this work was to complete toxicological data to document the chronic use of OcF in this case.
Methods |
A lock of hair was collected from the posterior vertex region during autopsy. After decontamination step, six hairs (H1 to H6) were collected from the lock and cut into 10-mm long hair segments (HxS1 to HxS10) with a sliding caliper [1 ]. The rest of the lock was cut into 2-cm lock segments (SS1 to SS5). Incubation step was performed in methanol, each sample was placed 10minutes in ultrasonic bath then incubated overnight at 55°C. LC-MS/MS analyses were performed using an API 4000 mass spectrometer (ABSciex®). Detection of OcF was performed in MRM mode and the monitored transitions were m/z: 371.3 → 105.1 and 188.2 (OcF) and 342.3 → 188.2 (fentanyl-d5, internal standard). Calibration curves ranged from 25 to 2500pg/mg and from 0.1 to 20pg/mm respectively for lock hair and single hair.
Results |
Lock and single hair analysis results are presented in Table 1.
Discussion |
Hair lock analysis shows higher OcF concentrations in the first 2-cm segment and its decrease from root to tip. Single fiber hair analysis shows similar Results to those obtained with lock of hairs with maxima into first or second 1-cm segments and also decrease from root to tip. These profiles are in favor with a chronic use of OcF, although contamination by sweat during the agony period cannot be ruled out.
Conclusion |
Finally, similar profiles obtained both in lock of hair and in single hair demonstrate the interest of single hair analysis in a field where very few data are available. This is the first report to assess OcF in hair.
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Vol 31 - N° 2S
P. S20 - mai 2019 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.