This study demonstrates the capability of the BacT/ALERT3D system to detect aerobic and anaerobic bacterial contamination in all tested blood components, thereby supporting its use for quality control sterility testing and not only bacterial screening. A standardized process will allow CBS to evaluate and compare blood collection and manufacturing practices across the country.

In the present study a relatively poor outcome of the antidepressant treatment of elderly depressives has been found. A combination of low treatment expectations and fear of vigorous treatment seems to have been important.

Objective To study the role of depressogenic medication in the aetiology of major depression in the elderly. Background Depression can be caused, provoked or sustained by drugs prescribed for other reasons. The evidence for this statement is based on case‐reports, not on investigations in relevant populations. Method In the geriatric wards of three Dutch psychiatric hospitals, 195 patients with a DSM‐III‐R diagnosis of major depression (MDD) were studied. In the first week after admission the following data were recorded: age, gender, personal psychiatric history, family psychiatric history, Montgomery‐Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Mini‐Mental State Examination, history of stroke, use of medication and number of different medications used. Subjects using depressogenic medication were contrasted with subjects not using depressogenic medication on all variables. Results There was a significant negative relationship, adjusted for the other variables, between the use of depressogenic medication and a previous admission for depression. No other significant relationships between the use of depressogenic medication and aetiological variables were found. Patients with a first‐time admission for MDD use depressogenic medication 2.44 times more often than patients with previous admissions for depression. Conclusion The use of depressogenic medication is an independent and clinically relevant aetiological factor in MDD. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The use of depressogenic medication is an independent and clinically relevant aetiological factor in MDD.