A new high-throughput urine screening and confirmation method detects psilocin, mitragynine, phencyclidine, ketamine, norketamine, and dehydronorketamine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Automated liquid handling with dispersive pipette extraction tips prepares screening samples, while offline solid-phase extraction handles confirmation samples. The method achieves limits of detection between 1-5 ng/mL for screening and 1 ng/mL for confirmation, using smaller specimen volumes than previous methods. Validation followed ANSI/ASB Standard 036 for forensic toxicology. Automation improves throughput and quality assurance, making the method suitable for workplace drug testing, human performance, and postmortem laboratories needing robust analysis of these traditionally challenging analytes.
A validated LC-MS/MS method can detect LSD, its primary metabolite OH-LSD, and nine LSD analogs in urine with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mL. The method uses automated sample preparation and a modified analytical column and gradient. Analysis of 325 urine specimens found no LSD analogs, but the procedure is suitable for laboratories expanding their testing scope. Automated preparation reduces manual handling without increasing analytical time. Detection may improve as reference standards for metabolic products become available. The validated procedure supports routine analysis and surveillance of these emerging substances.
Two deaths following ingestion of the potent hallucinogen 25I-NBOMe (a serotonin 2A receptor agonist used as an alternative to LSD) are reported. A 21-year-old male who told a friend he had taken "acid" suddenly became violently agitated, flailed, and became unresponsive; autopsy showed multiple external injuries consistent with physical aggression. A 15-year-old female became ill outside a rave, rapidly deteriorated, and died; her autopsy also revealed prominent contusions. Standard toxicology screens detected only marijuana, but time-of-flight mass spectrometry confirmed 25I-NBOMe in both cases. The pattern of behavior and injuries suggests a consistent syndrome preceding fatal toxicity.