Evaluation of Oral Fluid Testing Devices

Published

April 1, 2009

Author(s)

Lorna T. Sniegoski, Jocelyn L. Prendergast, Michael J. Welch, Alim A. Fatah, M Gackstetter, R. Q. Thompson

Abstract

Several point-of-collection (POC) devices for detection of drugs of abuse in oral fluid were studied. The ability of the devices to meet the manufacturers' claims and their practical application to detection of drugs of abuse at low concentrations in oral fluid were evaluated. Human saliva fortified with known quantities of cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), codeine, morphine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and (±)-11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (carboxy-THC), was used in the analysis. Each device was also tested for cross-reactivity with a number of common orally administered, over the counter medications, as well as substances which could be expected to occur in human saliva. In general, the POC devices performed close to their specifications, with a few exceptions. In some cases, the design of the device could make interpretation of the results unreliable or uncertain.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 7585

Report Number

7585

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

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Keywords

Analytical Chemistry, Drugs, Drugs of abuse, Oral fluid, or commonly, Saliva, Point of Collection Devices, testing and evaluation

Citation

Sniegoski, L. , Prendergast, J. , Welch, M. , Fatah, A. , Gackstetter, M. and Thompson, R. (2009), Evaluation of Oral Fluid Testing Devices, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=902366 (Accessed October 11, 2025)