ABSTRACT
The availability of the immunoassays has created a demand for comparative data assessing their performance and for information concerning their proper interpretation and applications in the analysis of biological samples for drugs of abuse. This chapter presents concepts pertinent to the evaluation of the immunoassays for morphine. It summarizes the clinical data obtained to compare the performance of different immunoassays for morphine, and also presents guidelines for the application of immunoassays to detection of drugs of abuse as well as to the proper interpretation of their results. With respect to the immunoassays, sensitivity is a function of the particular antiserum or pooled antiserum used in the assay, the concentration of antiserum, and the amount of labeled drug or antigen. Consideration of the concepts and data presented suggests guidelines for applying the drug detecting immunoassays and for interpreting the immunoassay results.
