Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology - Toxicology

Department of Toxicology

Analyzer Laboratory

Methods performed on INDIKO PLUS immunoanalysts are intended for capture of selected drugs, drugs and their metabolites in urine. These are preliminary immunoassay tests, the results of which must be confirmed and specified by independent methods. Measured values are used to sort negative samples or to select appropriate confirmation specific methods (TLC, GC-MS, LC-MS / MS). The results are used in the diagnosis of abuse or intoxication:

  • amphetamines
  • barbiturates
  • benzodiazepines
  • buprenorphine
  • cannabinoids
  • cocaine
  • LSD
  • methadone
  • opiates
  • phencyclidine and eventually other agents for which commercial CEDIA (Cloned Enzyme Donor Immunoassay) kits are available

Furthermore, the INDIKO PLUS immunoanalyzer is used to determine the level of selected drugs in the serum, eg:

  • paracetamol
  • carbamazepine
  • phenobarbital
  • phenytoin
  • valproate
  • salicylates, eventually other

Analyzes in this lab are performed both in daytime operation and in STATIM mode.

TLC Laboratory

The Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) methodology is designed to capture and identify a large number of drugs and drugs as unknown nox in samples of biological material (urine, gastric lavage, vomit, neonatal pitch), possibly in substances, dosage forms, or in unknown fluids. It is a combination of a screening and identification method in one workflow. It is a qualitative method used to diagnose acute intoxications, to check the control (to check for abstinence, therapy, etc.) and to detect a mother's abuse during pregnancy.

Analyzes in this lab are performed both in daytime operation and in STATIM mode. If you are interested in non-standard examinations, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a prior telephone consultation.

Laboratory of GC and UV-spectrophotometry

The analysis of volatile organic compounds is carried out in the gas chromatography laboratory. For example, the determination of ethanol in blood (or urine) for medical or legal needs. In health care, it is performed for diagnostic purposes (affecting the health of ingested alcohol) or therapeutic (monitoring during treatment of glycol intoxication). For legal purposes, the determination is carried out by two independent standardized methods, in our workplace, in addition to GC, by an enzymatic method.

Further, detection and determination of methanol in the blood is performed. Methanol is a very toxic substance. In humans, its metabolites cause considerable metabolic acidosis and also damage the optic nerve. Only formic acid is involved in the pathogenesis of this damage. Methanol determination is used to diagnose and control therapy for this substance poisoning.

Another group of substances analyzed herein are glycols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycolic acid). The analysis is performed in biological fluids (serum, urine), eventually. in fluids of unknown composition. It serves to diagnose poisoning and therapeutic purposes (monitoring the levels of these substances in biological fluids during therapy).

Last but not least, a number of volatile substances are detected as such. The methodology is intended for the diagnosis of poisoning or exposure to volatile substances such as organic solvents (eg toluene).

Also, the determination of drugs such as:

  • Ibuprofen
  • Gabapentin
  • Pregabalin
  • Glycolic acid and others

Analyzes in this lab are performed both in daytime operation and in STATIM mode. If you are interested in non-standard examinations, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a prior telephone consultation.

LC-MS / MS Laboratory

In a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry laboratory, the determination of levels of a wide range of drugs from different therapeutic groups (antiepileptics, antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs, etc.) is performed. Furthermore, some analytes are confirmed for confirmatory reasons (eg ethyl glucuronide - late metabolite of ethanol, LSD, cotinine), confirmation of benzodiazepines and their specific specification. Last but not least, there is a screening for unknown nox in the blood, eventually. in power.

The laboratory also runs research activities and is involved in external quality control in UKNEQAS and the German GTFCH. Analyzes are not performed in STATIM mode here, but only in daytime operation.

GC-MS Laboratory

The GC-MS laboratory is specialized especially in the determination of drug levels and their metabolites in the blood, or it is possible to prove these substances in other biological material (hair, saliva, urine…). Last but not least, in this laboratory, biological material is examined for forensic purposes and screened for unknown nox. If you are interested in non-standard examinations, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a prior telephone consultation.

Trace Analysis Laboratory

Sample preparation for LC-MS / MS and GC-MS is performed in the trace analysis laboratory.

Laboratory of fungal and plant toxins

Microscopic analysis is used to determine all known poisonous fungi and plants. The analysis is carried out in biological material (gastric lavage, high enema, vomit, stool), or the material to be analyzed may be food residues, fresh fungal fruiting bodies and plants or their parts or fruits. The analysis is performed both in daytime operation and in STATIM mode.

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