Search

Background: The repetition of acute poisoning occurs frequently. The intention may change between episodes and many poisonings are treated outside the hospital setting. Few studies have taken this into account., Aims: To quantify the repetition frequency regardless of the level of health care or the intention behind the poisoning, and to identify possible risk factors for repetition., Method: A prospective multicentre study of all acute poisonings in Oslo treated in hospital, at an out-patient clinic or by the ambulance service. Repetition was estimated using Kaplan-Meier calculations, and predictive factors were identified using Cox regression analysis., Results: The estimated 1-year repetition rate was 30% (95% CI 24-35). Independent predictors of repetition were middle age (30-49 years), poisoning with opiates or sedatives, unemployment or living on social welfare, a previous suicide attempt, and a history of psychiatric treatment. Intention was not a significant predictor., Conclusions: Repetition of acute poisoning is high, irrespective of the level of healthcare and the intention behind the poisoning.

Five grams of seafood products were inoculated with one to 500 viable or 10(9) heat-killed cells of Listeria monocytogenes. The presence of the pathogen was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for fragments of the listeriolysin O (hly) gene (two sets) and for the invasion-associated protein (iap) gene (one set). For DNA preparation, boiling, either alone or in combination with lysozyme and proteinase K treatment, was not always sufficient to lyse L. monocytogenes, while treatment with Triton X-100 produced consistently good DNA suitable for amplification. To avoid false-negative and false-positive results, 48 h incubations were necessary and a subculturing step after an initial 24 h incubation greatly improved the results. The primers that amplified regions of the listeriolysin O gene gave clearer and stronger products than primers for the invasion-associated protein gene. Using this method we were able to detect one to five L. monocytogenes cells in 5 g of product in a total of 55 h.