Nitazene test strips: a laboratory evaluation

Original research
par
De Vrieze, L. M., Stove, C. P., & Vandeputte, M. M.

Date de publication

2024

Géographie

Belgium

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This lab-based study aimed at evaluating lateral flow immunoassay nitazene test strips (NTS; BTNX Rapid Response™) for their potential in drug checking applications.

Constatations/points à retenir

All six authentic drug samples consistently tested positive, with no observed false negatives. Our findings indicate that NTS can theoretically alert to the presence of most nitazene analogues that have emerged on recreational drug markets. However, ‘desnitazenes’ (lacking the 5-nitro group) may yield false negative results due to low cross-reactivity. 

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Following dilution of drug standards in water, the NTS readouts were analyzed independently by two individuals and by ImageJ. The limit of detection for isotonitazene was determined using two manufacturing lots of NTS. Cross-reactivity with 32 other nitazene analogues was evaluated. Six sourced drug samples were tested to explore the ability of NTS to detect the presence of a nitazene analogue in authentic samples.

Mots clés

Drug checking
Evidence base
Illegal drugs
Opioids