The Analysis of Ethanol in Serum, Blood, and Urine: A Comparison of the TDx REA Ethanol Assay with Gas Chromatography

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Abstract
Studies were performed to evaluate two Abbott TDx ethanol assays, one which is commercially available (TDx-INT) and the other which is under experimental trial (TDx-MTT). Both assays employ radiative energy attenuation (REA) and differ only in the dye used for the chromogen. TDx-INT and TDx-MTT were compared to a headspace gas chromatographic method of analysis. Four types of specimens were studied: serum, urine, postmortem blood, and blood from intoxicated drivers (DWI). Specimens not containing ethanol were also analyzed. Statistical evaluation by least square regression analysis revealed good correlation (>0.98) for each group when ethanol values obtained by either TDx method were compared to the value obtained by gas chromatography. The slopes of the lines ranged from 0.96 to 1.02.