Seroprevalence of Brucella canis in dogs rescued from South Dakota Indian reservations, 2015-2019.

Canine brucellosis, caused by Brucella canis, is an infectious disease with implications for canine as well as human health. The identification of infected dogs originating from and around two South Dakota Indian reservations prompted an examination of the seroprevalence of B. canis in stray or owner-surrendered dogs from these communities. Using results from in-clinic screening tests of 3898 dogs over more than 4 years, we determined an overall apparent B. canis seroprevalence of 6.8% (adjusted estimated true prevalence of 29.4%), with rates declining over time. The apparent rate was similar to other surveys of stray dog populations in the US. Older dogs were significantly more likely to be B. canis-positive than younger dogs, as were reproductively intact dogs versus altered dogs (although this difference was not statistically significant). There were geographic differences in seropositive rates as well, with higher rates found in dogs originating from one reservation compared to other locations. Current diagnostic tests lack sensitivity to effectively identify all B. canis-infected dogs, but results from this study are valuable for investigating differences among risk factors for infection. Because of the potential for B. canis to infect other dogs and people, stray dog populations should be screened for B. canis before those animals are placed in adoptive homes.

Factors associated with positive screens on the mood disorder questionnaire in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: This article examines the prevalence of positive testing for bipolar tendencies on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) in a primary care office setting. METHOD: Participants in this study were older than 18 years of age and had not been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the time of study participation. 688 individuals submitted appropriately completed forms and were included in the study, which was conducted from October through November 2004. RESULTS: 10.8% of screened individuals tested positive for bipolar tendencies using the criteria determined by the investigators. These findings exceed estimates in previous studies of the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the general population. Statistically significant predictors of MDQ results included age (< 35 or ≥?35 years), complaints of anxiety or depression, and psychotropic medication use (none, 1 or more). Study participants who were under 35 years of age and complained of anxiety or depression and took 1 or more psychotropic medications had a probability of testing positive on the MDQ of 0.45. Those under the age of 35 years who complained of anxiety or depression and had no history of psychotropic medication use had a probability of testing positive on the MDQ of 0.27. The sample group consisting of individuals aged 35 years or older who complained of anxiety or depression and took psychotropic medications yielded a probability of positivity of 0.30; the probability of positivity for the 35-and-over subgroup who complained of anxiety or depression but did not take psychotropic medications was 0.16. CONCLUSION: Participants who did not complain of anxiety or depression and did not have a history of psychotropic medication use exhibited a lower incidence of positive MDQ scores compared with those who did complain of anxiety and depression and did have a history of psychotropic medication use. No other correlations were found to be statistically significant. No separate validation of the MDQ results cited was independently performed during this study.

A Pilot Study Examining the Relationship Between Patients' Complaints and Scores on the Hirschfeld Mood Disorder Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of bipolar disorder in the general population has been estimated at approximately 5%. The purpose of this study was to establish a relationship between patients' complaints on arrival to a primary care clinic and their subsequent scores on the Hirschfeld Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). METHOD: After reviewing data obtained from 178 consecutive patients, 171 were found adequate for study inclusion. The inclusion criteria for this study were presentation to a family practice office for care regardless of complaint and age of 18 years or older. Study participants were asked to complete a historical/demographic questionnaire, which gathered data on primary and secondary complaints and medication history, and the MDQ. RESULTS: Thirty patients (17.5%) tested positive on the MDQ for bipolar symptoms; all were aged 65 years or under. Of those who tested positive, 20% (N = 6) presented with a primary complaint of anxiety or depression. Somatic primary complaints of pain and headache carried a high likelihood of secondary complaints of anxiety or depression. CONCLUSION: Patients with complicated or multiple somatic complaints in primary care may also have concomitant undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Clinicians should use a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder when treating patients with these assessment characteristics. Further research is necessary to determine if these trends are applicable in a larger population.