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HelpTest Code PCPX Phencyclidine Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine
Useful For
Detection of drug abuse involving phencyclidine (street names: angel dust, hog, or angel hair) in urine specimens handled through the chain-of-custody process
Chain of custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was always under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
| ADLTX | Adulterants Survey, CoC, U | Yes | Yes |
Testing Algorithm
Testing for adulterants will be performed on all chain-of-custody urine samples per regulatory requirements.
Reporting Name
Phencyclidine Confirmation, CoC, USpecimen Type
UrineOrdering Guidance
This test is for situations that require the chain-of-custody process. For testing not requiring chain of custody, order PCPU / Phencyclidine Confirmation, Random, Urine.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Chain of Custody Kit (T282)
Container/Tube: Chain-of-Custody Kit containing the specimen containers, seals, and required documentation.
Specimen Volume: 10 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen in the container provided, seal, and submit with the associated documentation to satisfy the legal requirements for chain-of-custody testing.
Specimen Minimum Volume
5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a drug of abuse. This compound affects diverse neural pathways and interacts with cholinergic, adrenergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-secreting, serotoninergic, opiate neuronal receptors, and gamma receptors. It has analgesic, anesthetic, and stimulatory effects, yielding bizarre behavior, ranging from depression through catatonia, euphoria, violent rage, and hallucinations. Most fatalities result from its hypertensive effect.
Diagnosis of PCP usage depends on drug screening. PCP is excreted in the urine.
Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document the personnel who collected, handled, and performed the analysis. When a specimen is submitted in this manner, analysis will be performed in such a way that it will withstand regular court scrutiny.
Reference Values
Negative
Positive results are reported with a quantitative gas chromatography mass spectrometry result.
Cutoff concentrations
IMMUNOASSAY SCREEN
<25 ng/mL
PHENCYCLIDINE BY GC-MS
<10 ng/mL
Interpretation
The presence of phencyclidine (PCP) in urine is a strong indicator that the patient has used PCP.
Cautions
Urine phencyclidine (PCP) may be undetectable at alkaline pH. Urine pH must, therefore, always be recorded.
Method Description
The phencyclidine assay is based on the kinetic interaction of microparticles in a solution (KIMS) as measured by changes in light transmission. In the absence of sample drug, soluble drug conjugates bind to antibody-bound microparticles, causing the formation of particle aggregates. As the aggregation reaction proceeds in the absence of sample drug, the absorbance increases. When a urine sample contains the drug in question, this drug competes with the drug derivative conjugate for microparticle-bound antibody. Antibody bound to sample drug is no longer available to promote particle aggregation, and subsequent particle lattice formation is inhibited. The presence of sample drug diminishes the increasing absorbance in proportion to the concentration of drug in the sample. Sample drug content is determined relative to the value obtained for a known cutoff concentration of drug.(Package insert: PCP. Roche Diagnostics; V 13.0, 09/2021)
The specimen is then analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for confirmation with quantitation.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
3 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83992
G0480 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PCPX | Phencyclidine Confirmation, CoC, U | 16254-5 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 6672 | Phencyclidine Immunoassay Screen | 19659-2 |
| 36229 | Phencyclidine-by GC/MS | 16254-5 |
| 36230 | Phencyclidine Interpretation | 69050-3 |
| 36231 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |
Method Name
Immunoassay/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Confirmation with Quantitation
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain of Custody Kit (T282).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.