Comparison of sampling sites and detection methods for Haemophilus parasuis

Objective To improve the isolation rate and identification procedures for Haemophilus parasuis from pig tissues. Design Thirteen sampling sites and up to three methods were used to confirm the presence of H. parasuis in pigs after experimental challenge. Procedure Colostrum-deprived, naturally farrowed pigs were challenged intratracheally with H parasuis serovar 12 or 4. Samples taken during necropsy were either inoculated onto culture plates, processed directly for PCR or enriched prior to being processed for PCR. The recovery of H parasuis from different sampling sites and using different sampling methods was compared for each serovar. Results H parasuis was recovered from several sample sites for all serovar 12 challenged pigs, while the trachea was the only positive site for all pigs following serovar 4 challenge. The method of solid medium culture of swabs, and confirmation of the identity of cultured bacteria by PCR, resulted in 38% and 14% more positive results on a site basis for serovars 12 and 4, retrospectively, than direct PCR on the swabs. This difference was significant in the serovar 12 challenge. Conclusion Conventional culture proved to be more effective in detecting H parasuis than direct PCR or PCR on enrichment broths. For subacute (serovar 4) infections, the most successful sites for culture or direct PCR were pleural fluid, peritoneal fibrin and fluid, lung and pericardial fluid. For acute (serovar 12) infections, the best sites were lung, heart blood, affected joints and brain. The methodologies and key sampling sites identified in this study will enable improved isolation of H parasuis and aid the diagnosis of Glässer's disease

Screening for depression and anxiety in spinal cord injury with DASS-21

Copyright © 2008 International Spinal Cord SocietyStudy design: Comparison of two self-report instruments with a structured diagnostic interview. Objective: To investigate the properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in patients with spinal cord injuries. Setting: South Australian Spinal Cord Injuries Service, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, Northfield, South Australia. Methods: Forty paraplegic or tetraplegic patients participated. Two self-report measures, DASS-21 and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), assessed Depression, Anxiety and Stress. These measures were compared with each other and with diagnoses based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: Mean scores on both self-report measures were below clinical threshold levels. Prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were higher on DASS-21 than on BSI. DASS-21 was as sensitive as BSI, but had lower specificity to detect anxiety and depression. Conclusion: DASS-21 is a promising screening measure for patients with spinal cord injury in a rehabilitation setting. It has greater sensitivity for identifying those with possible anxiety disorders than it does for those with depressive disorders.MC Mitchell, NR Burns and DS Dorsty