Diagnostic toxicology

Osweiler CD, Carson TL, Buck WB, Van Celder CA Clinical and Diagnostic Toxicology, 3rd ed. Dubuque, lA, Kendall Hunt 1985, pp 363-378. 

Arnold AW, Hausermann P, Bach S, Bircher AJ Recurrent flexural exanthema (SDRIFE or baboon syndrome) after administration of two different iodinated radiocontrast media. Dermatology 2007 214 89-93. Laroche D Immediate reactions to contrast media mediator release and value of diagnostic testing. Toxicology 2005 209 193-194. 

Other diagnostic tests to consider for differential diagnosis erythrocyte sedimentation rate, urinalysis, toxicology, chest x-ray, heavy metal screen, HIV testing, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, electroencephalography, and neuropsychological tests such as the Folstein Mini Mental Status Exam. 

The use of clinical diagnostic procedures by which to identify and evaluate specific organ dysfunction is used widely in human and mammalian toxicology. Despite the apparent usefulness of such techniques little has been done to develop similar methods for use in studying toxic responses in aquatic organisms. 

Numerous diagnostic methods have been developed to evaluate female reproductive dysfunction. Although these methods have rarely been used for occupational or environmental toxicological evaluations, they may be helpful in defining biological parameters and mechanisms related to female reproductive toxicity. If clinical observations link exposure to the reproductive effect of concern, these data will aid the assessment of adverse female reproductive toxicity. The following clinical observations include end-points that may be reported in case reports or epidemiological research studies. 

Recommendation 7. The Army should keep abreast of, and adopt where appropriate, developments in medical diagnostic techniques for detecting and quantifying low-level exposures to toxic substances, including research related to the use of DNA and protein adducts as measures of toxicologically relevant metabolites. 

Quantification of known analytes in PK and distribution studies makes different demands on the analytical procedure than detection of unknown compounds in biotransformation experiments or identification of unknown and postulated molecules in toxicological screening. For example, requirements for quantitative analysis of fixed analytes with optimum sensitivity and selectivity differ from those for qualitative detection of intact molecular weight or diagnostic MS/MS fragments. Selectivity of sample preparation and applicability of diverse scan modes represent relevant critical issues. The following sections address this context. 

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