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Drug analysis in blowfly larvae and in human tissues: a comparative study

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Abstract

The present study investigates the correlation between concentrations of drugs in human tissues and Diptera larvae feeding on these tissues. Samples of liver were taken from 18 cases in which preliminary toxicological screening indicated the presence of drugs. Blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were reared on these samples and subsequently analyzed for drug content. Toxicological analyses were carried out using ONLINE Abuscreen (Roche) and GC/MS for available body fluids (blood, urine and bile) as well as liver samples and maggots. All drugs detected in human tissues were also detected in insect specimens. Opiates, cocaine and barbiturates as well as some antidepressants (clomipramine, amitryptiline, nortryptiline, levomepromezine and tioridazine) were observed. Comparisons of drug concentrations between those in human tissues and blowfly larvae showed different patterns of distribution that may be attributed to differences in physiology. Results confirm the reliability of entomological specimens for qualitative analyses, although quantitative extrapolations are unreliable. All xenobiotics detected were in higher concentrations in human tissues than in maggots. Concentrations in post-feeding maggots were significantly lower than for feeding maggots, suggesting that the feeding state of maggots may affect toxicological analyses as they metabolize and eliminate drugs during development.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Prof. M. Lee Goff, Chair, Forensic sciences Program, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 , Bari, Italy

    Carlo P. Campobasso & Francesco Introna

  2. Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Milan, via Mangiagalli 37, 20133 , Milano, Italy

    Mirella Gherardi, Marina Caligara & Luca Sironi

Authors
  1. Carlo P. Campobasso
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  2. Mirella Gherardi
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  3. Marina Caligara
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  4. Luca Sironi
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  5. Francesco Introna
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Correspondence to Carlo P. Campobasso.

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Campobasso, C.P., Gherardi, M., Caligara, M. et al. Drug analysis in blowfly larvae and in human tissues: a comparative study. Int J Legal Med 118, 210–214 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0448-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0448-1

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