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Occurrence of bacterial and toxic metals contamination in illegal opioid-like drugs in Iran: a significant health challenge in drug abusers

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Abstract

Background

The toxic metals and/or bacterial contaminants in illicit drugs are the main health problems in drug users worldwide. Hence, the potential risks of these contaminants were evaluated in some of the illicit drugs during 2015 and 2016.

Methods

The metals analysis were performed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In addition, all microbiological analysis stages, including handling procedures, dilution, and culture media, were conducted in accordance with the US Pharmacopeia (USP) which are harmonized with the European Pharmacopoeia (EP).

Results

In the present study, the highest lead (Pb; 138.10 ± 75.01 μg/g) and chromium (Cr; 447.38 ± 20.27 μg/g) levels were detected in opium samples. In addition, the highest prevalence of microbial contamination was observed in opium samples, and the lowest was recorded in heroin samples. Clostridium tetani, with about 50% of contaminant, was the most common bacteria in the analyzed samples.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Pb exposure as well as bacterial contamination could be the major threats for drug users.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grant No. 19710127901001 of Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Shahreza, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Shahreza, Iran

    Rassoul Aghababaei & Iraj Javadi

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 8678-3-65178, Hamadan, Iran

    Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi & Davoud Ahmadimoghaddam

  3. Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi & Davoud Ahmadimoghaddam

  4. Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch, Isfahan, Iran

    Somayeh Parsafar

Authors
  1. Rassoul Aghababaei
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  2. Iraj Javadi
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  3. Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi
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  4. Somayeh Parsafar
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Correspondence to Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi.

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Aghababaei, R., Javadi, I., Nili-Ahmadabadi, A. et al. Occurrence of bacterial and toxic metals contamination in illegal opioid-like drugs in Iran: a significant health challenge in drug abusers. DARU J Pharm Sci 26, 77–83 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40199-018-0205-5

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