Detecting doping use: more than an analytical problem.

The recent Armstrong case, where more than 250 negative doping tests are confronted with the athlete's confession of erythropoietin use, blood doping, steroid, and growth hormone abuse, illustrates the limitations of current laboratory tests in detecting doping in sport. Despite numerous doping controls and simultaneous indications of common doping abuse among professional athletes in the last two decades, the number of positive urine tests for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) remains remarkably low. Athletes are using various masking strategies, among them protease inhibitors, intravenous injections of rHuEPO and alternative erythropoiesis stimulating agents. As one of the countermeasures, the Athlete's Biological Passport has been introduced. The sensitivity of the Athlete's Biological Passport is limited if the effect of a low-dose doping remains within the intra-individual reference range. A possible solution could be the use of a novel Epo test (MAIIA Diagnostics). Another performance-enhancing strategy is the return to 'old' doping techniques, such as autologous blood transfusions. Several indirect methods to detect autologous blood transfusions have been proposed with the majority relying on changes in erythropoiesis-sensitive blood markers. Currently, an algorithm based on the haemoglobin (Hb) level concentration and the percentage of reticulocytes (OFF-hr model; Hb(g/l)-60·âˆš%ret) is approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Genetic factors have been identified which may interfere with test interpretation. A large inter- and intra-ethnic variation in testosterone glucuronidation and excretion has been described. Consideration of genetic variation should improve performance of the testosterone doping test. Taking into account the pre-analytical care and better tailoring of the threshold values could increase test sensitivity. Anti-doping laboratories should routinely adjust for multiple testing as failure of doping control to detect cheaters could lead to more frequent controls. Finally, despite the huge technological progress, there is a need for increased collaboration between physiologists, analytical chemists, biostatisticians, and ethicists to reduce doping in sport.

Dyschezia in dogs with discrete erosive anal disease and histological lesions suggestive of mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Eight dogs suffered chronic defecation problems characterised by severe dyschezia, manifested by signs of fear and vocalisation on defecation. One or more depigmented, discrete erosions, easily bleeding on palpation, were found in the perineal region. Histopathological changes included interface dermatitis, apoptotic keratinocytes, focal hydropic degeneration of basal epidermal cells, focal thickening of the basement membrane zone and dermal lichenoid infiltrations with mononuclear and plasma cells. A diagnosis of cutaneous or discoid lupus erythematosus was made on the basis of these clinical, physical and specific histopathological changes. The dogs were treated systemically with immunomodulating drugs and good results were obtained.

Comparison of the nonionic contrast agents, iopromide and iotrolan, for positive-contrast arthrography of the scapulohumeral joint in dogs.

Arthrographic quality and synovial inflammatory response were examined to compare the use of iopromide with that of iotrolan for arthrography of the scapulohumeral joint in 6 dogs. Radiographs obtained 1 and 3 minutes after injection of either nonionic compound were of similar quality, but radiographs obtained 5 minutes after injection of iotrolan were significantly (P less than 0.05) better than those obtained after injection of iopromide. Results of analysis of synovial fluid samples obtained at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after injection of contrast media were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Histologic examination of synovium and articular cartilage 2 weeks after injection of iopromide or iotrolan revealed minimal inflammatory response for both contrast agents. Injection of iopromide and iotrolan into the scapulohumeral joints of dogs had less effect on synovial fluid than that reported after injection of ionic compounds.

Necrotizing pneumonia in cats associated with infection by EF-4a bacteria.

Two cases of severe necrotizing pneumonia in cats caused by Gram-negative bacteria called "Eugonic Fermenter 4a" (EF-4a) are described. The gross lesions resembled to those commonly seen with lung tuberculosis in other animal species.

Mannosidosis in a litter of Persian cats.

Three kittens in a litter of Persian cats showed, from the age of eight weeks, tremor, ataxia, dysmetria, progressive weakness and emaciation. Cytoplasmic vacuolation was observed in neurons, mesenchymal and epithelial cells of tissues taken post mortem. The alpha-mannosidase activity of brain tissue of one cat tested was 4.8 per cent of control values and the urine of two cats contained large amounts of mannose-rich oligosaccharides.