Detection of Nicotine and Nicotine Metabolites in Units of Banked Blood.

Wiencek, Joesph R; Gehrie, Eric A; Keiser, Amaris M; Szklarski, Penny C; Johnson-Davis, Kamisha L; Booth, Garrett S · Am J Clin Pathol · 2019

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Abstract

To determine the concentrations of nicotine and nicotine metabolites in RBC units as a means to estimate the point prevalence of exposure within the healthy donor pool. Segments from 105 RBC units were tested for the presence of nicotine, cotinine, or trans-3'-hydroxycotinine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of the 20 (19%) units that contained detectable concentrations of nicotine, cotinine, or trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, 19 (18.1%) contained concentrations consistent with the use of a nicotine-containing product within 48 hours of specimen collection. One RBC unit contained nicotine concentrations consistent with passive exposure. Chemicals from nicotine-containing products are detectable within the US RBC supply. Further investigation is needed to determine the risks of transfusion-associated exposure to nicotine and other tobacco-associated chemicals among vulnerable patient populations such as neonates.

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