0
0
University of Liverpool leads breakthrough in rapid, non-invasive paracetamol overdose diagnosis
A team of researchers led by the University of Liverpool has unveiled an innovative new technique that can rapidly assess paracetamol levels in a simple saliva sample. This pioneering method, known as Paper Arrow-Mass Spectrometry (PA-MS), has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of paracetamol overdose, offering a faster and more accessible alternative to current clinical tests.
Published in the journal BMC Medicine, the study demonstrates the clinical validity of PA-MS, a mass spectrometry-based technique that requires just a tiny drop of saliva applied to a piece of paper to assess paracetamol levels. This groundbreaking method is not only quicker but also less resource-intensive than traditional clinical tests, which could significantly improve the speed of diagnosis and patient care.
Paracetamol, the world’s most widely consumed painkiller, is frequently involved in cases of accidental overdose, with approximately 100,000 incidents reported annually in the U.K. alone. Overdose can lead to severe liver damage, with up to 50,000 hospital admissions each year due to paracetamol-induced toxicity. If left untreated, the consequences can include liver failure, the need for a transplant, or even death.
The treatment for paracetamol overdose, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is highly effective in preventing acute liver injury, but it must be administered within eight hours of ingestion for optimal results. Delayed diagnosis often complicates timely treatment, underscoring the importance of rapid testing methods like PA-MS.
In a clinical trial, the researchers tested PA-MS using both saliva and plasma samples from volunteers who had ingested paracetamol. They found that saliva provided the most reliable results, offering a non-invasive, simple, and fast sample collection method. The study was conducted in partnership with Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Simon Maher, an expert in mass spectrometry technologies at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough: “This study demonstrates successful testing of the new PA-MS test in a clinical environment and lays the foundation for advancing point-of-care testing across emergency and routine clinical settings. This innovation represents a significant step forward in ambient ionization mass spectrometry techniques, with the potential for broad application in clinical diagnostics.”
Professor Dan Hawcutt, a clinical pharmacologist at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, added, “The speed, simplicity, and efficiency of this new technology have the potential to provide faster diagnosis, better patient outcomes, and cost savings for healthcare systems.”
Dr. Robert Felstead, Deputy Director of Healthcare Technologies at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), also praised the research, stating, “This research represents a significant breakthrough in the rapid and accurate quantification of paracetamol. Given the high incidence of overdose and its severe consequences, this innovative technology offers a fast, non-invasive, and cost-effective solution that can greatly enhance patient care and outcomes.”
The foundational development of PA-MS was previously published in The Analyst journal. This novel approach could potentially become a vital tool in managing paracetamol overdoses, improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare efficiency across emergency care settings.
For more details, see the study: Yufeng Zhou et al, Rapid and Non-Invasive Analysis of Paracetamol Overdose Using Paper Arrow-Mass Spectrometry: A Prospective Observational Study, BMC Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03776-3.
