Trend in levels of Clenbuterol in bovine samples from 2005 to 2010 in Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

This study was done between 2005 and 2010 in seven health districts in Guerrero, México. Samples for clenbuterol analysis were collected (n= 1,221). The health districts Costa Grande and Norte had a higher number of contaminated samples (Clenbuterol >2000 parts per trillion –ppt-), with 38 and 37, respectively, Costa Chica had only 6 cases. Urine and liver samples were the most appropriated for clenbuterol detection. The results showed a progressive decrease in percentage of contaminated samples from 2006 (20.0 %) up to 7.1 % in 2009, however, there was a slight increase next year (9.3 %). There was a strong correlation between the percentage of contaminated samples obtained in Guerrero and nationally in the 2007-2010 period (r= 0.962) with higher levels in Guerrero (Mean= 11.3 %, National mean= 8.5 %) (P<0.05). During the study period 29 samples of intoxicated people were analyzed, which were confirmed in the urine of seven patients (24.0 %), whose concentrations were between 4,859 and 15,996 ppt (mean= 10,100), in the other samples of serum, clenbuterol was not detected. For health surveillance of clenbuterol was possible to reduce contaminated samples and the occurrence of poisoning; however, must be a permanent monitoring to prevent risks for the population of Guerrero.