[Accreditation of the toxicological screening: recommendations of the SFBC-SFTA group].

Toxicological screening is a specific approach to analytical toxicology that uses analytical tools such as GC-MS, LC-UV (diode array) or LC-MS. Toxicological screening allows the detection and simultaneous identification of a large number of compounds. The results may be based on the use of one or more techniques.

[Bisalbuminemia: A case report].

Introduction: Bisalbuminemias consist in rare qualitative modifications of several aspects in the albumin pattern. Bisalbuminemias, most of which are not pathological, can be observed using capillary electrophoresis.

Case Reports: We report a case of hereditary bisalbuminemia diagnosed by chance while exploring chronic unexplained hypereosinophilia in a 42-year-old patient.

A Cross-Reactivity of Fenofibric Acid With MDMA DRI Assay.

Background: Within the framework of routine fitness examinations, French Air Force military crew underwent urine testing for 3,4 methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA [ecstasy]). The cross-reactivity of a dyslipidemic drug, fenofibrate, with an MDMA immunoassay was studied and confirmed on a large population sample.

Methods: A 3-year retrospective study was performed on the MDMA DRI Ecstasy Assay on the Unicel DXC 600.

Immunoglobulin D and cardiac amyloidosis: development and a case illustration.

Amyloidosis results from extra-cellular deposition of proteins which interfere with tissue function. We report the case of a patient with pathological heart involvement which is caused by immunoglobulin D amyloidosis, and review current data on the amyloidois diagnosis and management.

[Maxillary sinus infection by Bacillus licheniformis: a case report from Djibouti].

Aerobic, spore-forming gram-positive Bacillus spp infections are rare and reported mainly in immunocompromised hosts. We report a case of acute unilateral maxillary sinusitis, caused by Bacillus licheniformis, in a 35-year-old French soldier stationed in Djibouti. It was easily identifiable due to its typical culture and resistance profile.

[Mycobacterium simiae pneumonia: a case report].

We report a case of Mycobacterium simiae pneumonia in an immunocompetent women aged 55 years, after a stay in Thailand. The diagnosis was based on culture isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from bronchoalveolar lavage. The culture isolate was identified as M.

The implementation of a multinational "walking blood bank" in a combat zone: The experience of a health service team deployed to a medical treatment facility in Afghanistan.

Background: We present here a description of the experience in whole-blood transfusion of a health service team deployed to a medical treatment facility in Afghanistan from June 2011 to October 2011. The aim of our work was to show how a "walking blood bank" could provide a sufficient supply.

Methods: We gathered the blood-group types of military personnel deployed to the theater of operations to evaluate our "potential walking blood bank," and we compared these data with our needs.

Working towards accreditation by the International Standards Organization 15189 Standard: how to validate an in-house developed method an example of lead determination in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Laboratories working towards accreditation by the International Standards Organization (ISO) 15189 standard are required to demonstrate the validity of their analytical methods. The different guidelines set by various accreditation organizations make it difficult to provide objective evidence that an in-house method is fit for the intended purpose. Besides, the required performance characteristics tests and acceptance criteria are not always detailed.

[Disseminated intravascular coagulation in solid tumours].

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex abnormality of hemostasis with dramatic consequences and long described as associated with tumors. Yet the diagnosis and management of paraneoplastic DIC are poorly defined. The purpose of this paper is to review DIC associated with solid tumors, at the pathophysiological and therapeutic levels in particular.

[Assessment of malaria screening management in blood donation control in the French Military Blood Institute].

The French Military Blood Institute is responsible for the entire blood supply chain in the French Armed Forces. Considering, the high exposition rate of military to malaria risk, blood donation screening of plasmodium infection must be as efficient as possible. The main aim of our study was to assess our malaria testing strategy based on a single Elisa test compared with a two-step strategy implying immunofluorescence testing as confirmation test.

[Internal audit in medical laboratory: what means of control for an effective audit process?].

To prepare the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC) visit for initial certification of our medical laboratory, our direction evaluated its quality management system (QMS) and all its technical activities. This evaluation was performed owing an internal audit. This audit was outsourced.

[Propylthiouracil-induced multispecific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies].

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with arthralgia during a treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU) for hyperthyroidism. Detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against myeloperoxidase, proteinase 3 and elastase led to suspect PTU induced vasculitis.

[Pharmacological and pharmacogenetic study of two immunomodulators: azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. Strategies for preventing complications].

Thiopurines are frequently used in gastroenterology for Crohn's disease or hemorrhagic rectocolitis. Their metabolism is regulated by a particular enzyme, thiopurine S-methyltransferase or TPMT. There are three ways to evaluate the effectiveness and the risk of side effects associated with this treatment.

[From gene to disease: copper-transporting P ATPases alteration].

Copper is a trace metal, essential for many biological processes. Copper is also toxic if in excessive amounts; its homeostatic balance requires a delicate regulation. Several severe hereditary human disorders of copper regulatory mechanisms have been identified; they are related to mutations in gene ATP7A and ATP7B coding for copper-transporting proteins.

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report].

We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a 60 years-old woman with Sjogren's syndrome. Symptomatology on admission leads to evoke the diagnosis of TTP. Biological results allow to set the diagnosis.

Is hyperhomocysteinemia an additional risk factor of the metabolic syndrome?

The aim of this study was to ascertain if hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an obvious independent risk factor for atheroma, and thrombosis morbidity and mortality.

[Consciousness disorders and severe haemolytic anaemia in a patient coming from overseas].

A 54-years-old patient coming from Guinea, who presented fever, diarrhoea, consciousness disorders and severe haemolytic anaemia, was admitted to resuscitation unit in France. Despite many explorations carried out (evaluation of traumatic causes, infection, neoplasia, vascular, toxic causes, vitamin deficiency), it was not possible to explain neurological symptomatology. Besides, haemolytic anaemia was due to the ingestion of metamizole in a context of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficit.

[Fondaparinux: the present and the future].

The development of new antithrombotic molecules which induced an inhibition of activated factor X (fondaparinux, Arixtra) shows effectiveness and safety in prevention of thromboembolic disease in surgery, but also in the treatment of the pulmonary embolism and major venous thromboses and acute myocardial infarction. Recent clinical trials show that new anti-Xa inhibitors also have interesting properties in antithrombotic therapy. Fondaparinux could offer new therapeutic possibilities that could simplify the management of patients under anticoagulant treatment.

[Obligate running and anorexia].

The relationship between athletic participation and eating disorders is complex. We describe the case of a sportive man and examine the overall relationship between athletic participation and eating problems.

[Nelson's syndrome management: current knowledge].

Purpose: Nelson's syndrome is a severe complication of bilateral adrenalectomy performed in the treatment of some Cushing's diseases, and its management remains difficult. Trough the observation of a patient suffering from a severe form of Nelson's syndrome for more than 10 years, the authors review the literature and discuss the main current therapeutic possibilities.

Current Knowledge And Key Points: Many molecules have been used with variable results.

[Diagnosis of adult-onset Still's disease: contribution of biology].

We report one case of adult-onset Still's disease. The diagnosis of this disease currently requires application of Yamaguchi's criteria and then exclusion of infectious, haematological, autoimmune and neoplasic disorders. The place of biology is enhanced with the use of new markers like ferritin and glycosylated ferritin.