Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
Dinitrophenol (DNP) Fatality Associated with a Falsely Elevated Salicylate Level: a Case Report with Verification of
Kathryn T Kopec1, Caroline Freiermuth2, Susan Maynard3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Carolinas Healthcare System, 1000 Blythe Blvd, MEB 3rd floor, Charlotte, NC, 28203, USA. ktkopec@gmail.com.
Introduction:
2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is a known uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation that clinically leads to hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and metabolic acidosis. Intentional overdoses of DNP are often fatal. We present an analytically confirmed fatal case of DNP overdose with a falsely positive elevated salicylate concentration. We further explored this cross reactivity of DNP with two salicylate assays.
Methods:
Clinically relevant serial dilutions of DNP were prepared in drug-free serum and analyzed using two different colorimetric NADH/NAD-based analytical methodologies.
Results:
The enzymatic salicylate assay demonstrated a reproducible false elevation of salicylate starting at a DNP level of 100 mg/L while the EMIT-based methodology was without any such interference at the maximum concentration tested (150 mg/L).
Conclusions:
DNP cross reacts with some salicylate assays. This knowledge is important for providers, as there are significant variations in the management of DNP versus salicylate toxicity.
Related Concept Videos
00:42Cross-reactivity
01:26Profile Leveling and Cross Sections
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
03:12Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
01:18False Memories
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information...
01:17Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification