Drug proficiency test false positives: a lack of critical thought.

Drug proficiency tests were surveyed in an attempt to determine the cause of false positive results. The results of seventeen drug proficiency tests and surveys provided by Collaborative Testing Services (CTS) over an eight-year period were evaluated. A total of 63 errors were reported for an average rate of 2.8%. Fifty-six of the 63 respondents responsible for errors had used GC-MS, IR or a combination of the two in their analytical scheme. No errors were reported by respondents using two microcrystalline tests. Further evaluation of the analytical schemes of those responsible for the errors demonstrated that it was not the methodology that resulted in the errors, but rather the lack of critical thought on the part of the analyst.

Meningeal worm-induced neurologic disease in black-tailed deer.

Neurologic disease attributable to Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was diagnosed in five black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) relocated from Oregon to Tennessee. Mortality occurred in the pre-release enclosure and in the release area. Infection with P. tenuis was considered the cause of an unsuccessful stocking attempt. In addition, neurologic disease was produced by experimental infection of a black-tailed x white-tailed deer hybrid. Clinical and pathologic findings were described for black-tailed and hybrid deer, and epizootiologic aspects of P. tenuis infections were discussed.