The analysis of ethanol in serum, blood, and urine: a comparison of the TDx REA ethanol assay with gas chromatography.

Studies were performed to evaluate two Abbott TDx ethanol assays, one which is commercially available (TDx-INT) and the other which is under experimental trial (TDx-MTT). Both assays employ radiative energy attenuation (REA) and differ only in the dye used for the chromogen. TDx-INT and TDx-MTT were compared to a headspace gas chromatographic method of analysis. Four types of specimens were studied: serum, urine, postmortem blood, and blood from intoxicated drivers (DWI). Specimens not containing ethanol were also analyzed. Statistical evaluation by least square regression analysis revealed good correlation (greater than 0.98) for each group when ethanol values obtained by either TDx method were compared to the value obtained by gas chromatography. The slopes of the lines ranged from 0.96 to 1.02.