A research team has created a cutting-edge method to quickly evaluate paracetamol levels in saliva using Mass Spectrometry technology.
A team of researchers from the University of Liverpool has introduced an advanced technique for swiftly measuring paracetamol levels from saliva samples.
In a publication featured in the journal BMC Medicine, the researchers showcase the clinical effectiveness of a new Mass Spectrometry technology-based approach that can determine paracetamol levels from just a small saliva drop placed on paper.
This method, known as Paper-Arrow Mass Spectrometry (PA-MS), is still awaiting patent approval and has proven to deliver improved analytical results while consuming fewer resources and requiring less clinical engagement than existing testing methods.
Paracetamol is the most widely used medication in the world, and its easy availability often leads to cases of misuse and overdose. In the UK alone, around 100,000 paracetamol overdose incidents are reported annually, resulting in 50,000 hospitalizations due to liver toxicity. If not promptly addressed, these overdoses can result in serious health risks, including liver failure, the need for transplantation, or death.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a drug used to treat paracetamol overdose, is effective in preventing acute liver injury (ALI), but it must be administered quickly, ideally within eight hours after overdose.
The research team evaluated their technique using saliva and plasma samples from volunteers who had taken paracetamol, ultimately finding that saliva was the preferred type of sample.
This study involved collaboration with Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Simon Maher, a Mass Spectrometry technology expert at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, commented: “This research illustrates the successful application of the PA-MS test in a clinical setting and sets the stage for enhancing point-of-care diagnostics in emergency and routine healthcare environments. This innovation marks a notable advancement in ambient ionisation mass spectrometry, holding potential for widespread clinical diagnostic use.”
Professor Dan Hawcutt, a clinical pharmacologist and Research Director at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, along with his position as Director of the NIHR Alder Hey Clinical Research Facility, remarked: “The rapidity, ease of use, and effectiveness of this new technology could lead to quicker diagnoses, improved patient outcomes, and reduced costs for healthcare systems.”
The article titled `Rapid and non-invasive analysis of paracetamol overdose using paper arrow-mass spectrometry: a prospective observational study’ appears in BMC Medicine.
This foundational technology development received funding from the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies program and was previously detailed in the Royal Society of Chemistry publication, `Emergency diagnosis made easy: matrix removal and analyte enrichment from raw saliva using paper-arrow mass spectrometry — Analyst’.”
Dr. Robert Felstead, Deputy Director of Healthcare Technologies at EPSRC, noted: “This research, supported by EPSRC, represents a major advancement in the rapid and accurate measurement of paracetamol levels. Considering the frequent occurrences of paracetamol overdoses and their critical consequences, this innovative method presents a swift, non-invasive, and affordable approach that could significantly improve patient care and outcomes.”
Currently, the University of Liverpool aims to adapt this technology into a tailored multiplex diagnostic tool for quick assessment of overdose and liver damage.
