Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
10:17
High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
11.3K
Workplace drug testing in Italy: findings about second-stage testing
Claudia Vignali1, Cristiana Stramesi, Luca Morini
1Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy.
Drug Testing and Analysis
|March 22, 2014
Summary
Workplace drug testing in Italy uses two levels. Second-level testing, including hair analysis, effectively detects drug use missed by urine tests, aiding rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Workplace drug testing (WDT) in Italy involves two monitoring levels.
- The second level, for workers testing positive in the first, includes urine and hair analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of second-level WDT, specifically the role of hair analysis.
- To identify drug use patterns in workers undergoing second-level testing.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of urine and hair specimens from 120 workers (2009-2012).
- Drugs screened: amphetamines, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, cocaine, ecstasy, methadone, opiates.
- Urine: Immunological screening (EMIT) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Hair: GC-MS analysis.
Main Results:
- First-level positives: 80% for cannabinoids, 15.8% for cocaine.
- Second-level urine: 71.2% negative, 23.9% positive for cannabinoids, 2.5% for cocaine.
- Second-level hair: 61.9% negative, 6.2% positive for cannabinoids, 28.8% positive for cocaine.
Conclusions:
- Second-level WDT with hair analysis is highly effective in detecting drug use missed by urine tests.
- Hair analysis reveals significant cocaine use in Italy.
- Positive drug addiction findings enable rehabilitation while retaining employment.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
2.9K
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
2.9K
01:26Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug Analysis Methods
342
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is a clinical practice that measures specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to tailor drug therapy effectively. This monitoring is critical for managing drugs with narrow therapeutic indices like digoxin and phenytoin, ensuring they are both safe and effective. For instance, monitoring theophylline levels in asthma patients involves precision and sensitivity to adjust doses according to individual responses to therapy, ensuring efficacy and...
342
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
204
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
204
01:29Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
2.6K
Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
2.6K
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
2.0K
Description
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
2.0K
01:03Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact
706
Drug control governance involves the oversight and regulation of pharmaceuticals to ensure their safety and efficacy while preventing illegal drug use and trafficking. Regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union's European Medicines Agency (EMA), play a central role in this process. These agencies evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be marketed. They fund clinical trials and assess the benefits and risks associated with...
706