A blocking reagent (Abbott) was used to test 153 conjunctival and nasopharyngeal samples from children with signs of early trachoma and from neonates and adults with conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in whom positive results had been obtained on at least one occasion in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Abbott). EIA and cycloheximide-treated McCoy cell cultures of the eye sample were equally often positive in the non-trachoma cases (70 versus 71), the EIA results being confirmed by the blocking reagent test in these cases. The corresponding figures for the nasopharyngeal samples were 31 versus 25. There was full agreement between the results of the EIA and blocking reagent tests, except in two eye samples and one nasopharyngeal sample where the blocking reagent test was negative. Three EIA results were within the equivocal zone around the cutoff point, two of which were positive and one negative in the blocking test.

A programme for a multicentre evaluation study of in vitro cytoxicity (MEIC) is proposed. The programme will try to evaluate the correlation between both lethal and sublethal toxic effects in man and in vitro cytotoxicity. Animal toxicity data will be included, to provide an opportunity for evaluating the species gap between man and laboratory animals. A list of chemicals to be used in this study is presented.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for patients in need of long-term nutritional support or gastric decompression. Although it is considered safe, complications and relatively high mortality rates have been reported. We aimed to identify risk factors for complications and mortality after PEG in routine healthcare.Methods: This retrospective study included all adult patients who received a PEG between 2013 and 2019 in Region Norrbotten, Sweden.Results: 389 patients were included. The median age was 72 years, 176 (45%) were women and 281 (72%) patients received their PEG due to neurological disease. All-cause mortality was 15% at 30 days and 28% at 90 days. Malignancy as the indication for PEG was associated with increased mortality at 90 days (OR 4.41, 95% CI 2.20–8.88). Other factors significantly associated with increased mortality were older age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, lower body mass index and higher C-reactive protein levels. Minor and major complications within 30 days occurred in 11% and 15% of the patients, respectively. Diabetes increased the risk of minor complications (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.04-6.55), while those aged 75+ years were at an increased risk of major complications, compared to those younger than 65 years (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.02-4.85).Conclusions: The increased risk of death among women and patients with malignancy indicate that these patients could benefit from earlier referral for PEG. Additionally, we found that age, diabetes, heart failure, C-reactive protein and body mass index all impact the risk of adverse outcomes.

Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for patients in need of long-term nutritional support or gastric decompression. Although it is considered safe, complications and relatively high mortality rates have been reported. We aimed to identify risk factors for complications and mortality after PEG in routine healthcare. Methods This retrospective study included all adult patients who received a PEG between 2013 and 2019 in Region Norrbotten, Sweden. Results 389 patients were included. The median age was 72 years, 176 (45%) were women and 281 (72%) patients received their PEG due to neurological disease. All-cause mortality was 15% at 30 days and 28% at 90 days. Malignancy as the indication for PEG was associated with increased mortality at 90 days (OR 4.41, 95% CI 2.20–8.88). Other factors significantly associated with increased mortality were older age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, lower body mass index and higher C-reactive protein levels. Minor and major complications within 30 days occurred in 11% and 15% of the patients, respectively. Diabetes increased the risk of minor complications (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.04–6.55), while those aged 75 + years were at an increased risk of major complications, compared to those younger than 65 years (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.02–4.85). Conclusions The increased risk of death among women and patients with malignancy indicate that these patients could benefit from earlier referral for PEG. Additionally, we found that age, diabetes, heart failure, C-reactive protein and body mass index all impact the risk of adverse outcomes.