Methodological modifications on quantification of phosphatidylethanol in blood from humans abusing alcohol,using high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection
(1) Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Lund University, Lund University Hospital, S-221 85 Lund, Sweden;(2) AstraZeneca, R&D, Lund, Sweden
Abstract:
Background
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid formed slowly in cell membranes by a transphosphatidylation reaction from phosphatidylcholine in the presence of ethanol and catalyzed by the enzyme phospholipase D. PEth in blood is a promising new marker of ethanol abuse depending on the high specificity and sensitivity of this marker. None of the biological markers used in clinical routine at the present time are sensitive and specific enough for the diagnosis of alcohol abuse.