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Development of a psilocin immunoassay for serum and blood samples

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Abstract

After the immunisation of rabbits with a psilocin-specific immunogen, polyclonal antisera were obtained. With these antisera a competitive, heterogeneous radioimmunoassay for the detection of psilocin was developed. As tracer a derivative of psilocin was synthesised, which contained a tritiated CH3 group. The antisera showed a specific reaction with psilocin. The cross-reactivity of structurally related endogenous substances like serotonin, tryptophan and tyrosine was below 0.01%. Also common drugs of abuse (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, morphine, amphetamine) showed negligible cross-reactivity (0.01–2%). Only tricyclic neuroleptics with a (dimethylamino)ethyl side-chain showed some cross-reactivity (20%). Spiked serum and blood samples were analysed with this new immunoassay and the results obtained were compared with the values measured with a validated GC-MS method.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Dr. W. Schneider and the staff from Dade Behring GmbH Marburg who were responsible for the animal experimental section.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Hittorfstrasse 58–62, 48149 , Münster, Germany

    C. Albers & M. Lehr

  2. Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Röntgenstrasse 23, 48149, Münster, Germany

    H. Köhler, B. Brinkmann & J. Beike

Authors
  1. C. Albers
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  2. H. Köhler
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  3. M. Lehr
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  4. B. Brinkmann
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  5. J. Beike
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Beike.

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Albers, C., Köhler, H., Lehr, M. et al. Development of a psilocin immunoassay for serum and blood samples. Int J Legal Med 118, 326–331 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0469-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0469-9

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