Monitoring drug residues in donor blood/plasma samples using LC-(MS)/MS--a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical analysis
• Blood product safety
• Analytical chemistry

Background:

• Quality assurance in pharmaceutical production is critical, especially for human plasma.
• Current quality control for fresh frozen plasma rarely includes testing for drug residues.
• Advancements in analytical technology enable sensitive detection of trace therapeutics in biological samples.

Discussion:

• A study analyzed 100 human donor plasma samples for common drug residues using liquid chromatography-high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry.
• Confirmatory analyses were performed using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
• The analysis targeted diuretics, beta-receptor blocking agents, contraceptives, stimulants, and other drug classes.

Key Insights:

• Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, torasemide) and beta-receptor blocking agents (bisoprolol, metoprolol) were found in five samples each.
• One sample contained pseudoephedrine (stimulant), and another contained drosperinone (contraceptive).
• Overall, 12% of donor plasma samples showed detectable drug residues at therapeutic concentrations.

Outlook:

• The findings suggest a need to implement routine drug residue screening in human donor plasma.
• Further research could explore the long-term implications of these residues on transfusion recipients.
• Testing of commercially processed plasma showed no targeted drug residues, indicating effective processing methods.