Oral Fluid Testing

In addition to urine-based testing for substances of abuse, Alere can also provide oral fluid testing services using the Intercept Oral Fluid Collection Device.

Oral fluids, including saliva, are the products of multiple glands in the mouth that transfer proteins and antibodies into the oral cavity. Because drugs and drug metabolites are transferred into the mouth as one of these products, oral fluid may be used as an alternative method of substance abuse testing.

Oral fluid testing allows for ease of collection. The non-invasive method does not require special collection facilities necessitated by the privacy requirements of a urine collection, and the donor is not required to take any special action to “produce” a specimen, eliminating a shy bladder situation. Additionally, because each collection can be directly observed, donor tampering with the specimen is virtually eliminated. Alere also provides a training program to all staff involved in the collection process.

Methodology

To perform oral fluid testing, the donor places the collection pad between his/her lower cheek and gum for two to five minutes. The collection pad is then put into a vial, sealed, and sent with a completed chain of custody form to Alere for analysis. While the testing process is two-part as it is with urine testing (screening and confirmation), the amount of drug or drug metabolite present in oral fluid is much lower than that present in urine. Clients using oral fluid testing can still expect the same level of quality and service guiding our urine-based testing operations. For the initial screen test, Alere uses an FDA-approved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and confirms suspect positive test results by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). These confirmation methods provide the most sensitive “fingerprint” identification available for the target drug. Screening results can be reported within 24 hours from receipt at Alere and confirmation results are available within 72 hours.

Oral fluid drug testing does not eliminate or replace urine drug testing but can provide another tool for your drug testing program.

Drugs Tested

The following drugs are available for any combination to make up an oral fluid drug screen:

• Amphetamine
• Methamphetamine, includes MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Marijuana metabolites (cannabinoids)
• Cocaine metabolite (benzolecgonine)
• Methadone
• Opiates
• Phencyclidine (PCP)