Nouveaux marqueurs biologiquesde la consommation d’alcool [New biomarkers of alcohol use]

Estimating alcohol consumption using biomarkers raises interpretation problems. The biomarkers currently used in clinical settings have limited performances to identify unhealthy alcohol use (e.g. CDT, AST, ALT). New direct biomarkers, ethylglucuronide (EtG) and phosphatydilethanol (PEth) are available and offer better sensitivity and specificity compared to indirect biomarkers. In forensic medicine, EtG and PEth are replacing indirect biomarkers. However, in clinical routine practice these markers are usually not considered. Still, for specific purposes such in pre-liver transplant evaluations, direct markers may help specialists in the decision process