Using SIB and API kits to identify and biotype enterobacteria of different origin

A collection of 26 Enterobacteriaceae reference strains provided by Reference Centres in Moscow (USSR) and Copenhagen (Denmark) as well as a collection of 660 freshly isolated cultures of Gram-negative bacteria of different origin were investigated using SIB indicator systems manufactured at the Gorky Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (USSR) and API-20E, Rapid-20E and API-10S kits (API, France) with the aim of species determination. In analyzing freshly isolated cultures, API-20E, API-10S and SIB-B kits proved to be of approximately equal efficiency, whereas the Rapid-20E system enabled species identification in no more than 78% of the tested cultures. In a model biotyping of 284 E. coli cultures of different origin, SIB-B and API-20E kits in combination with the Analytical Profile Index enabled sufficiently rapid and standard identification of Enterobacteriaceae biovars.     

On choice of substrate and habitat in brachionid rotifers

Information on the distribution of 28 rotifers of the family Brachionidae from diverse waters in south and central Sweden was analyzed to reveal their relationships to substrate and habitat. Some brachionids are preferably planktic, others periphytic and/or benthic. Some non-planktic habitats are utilized more than others, but there is no evidence of a chemical attraction from any substrate. Instead, some substrates seem to be avoided, possibly depending on a poorer flora of periphytic algae. Besides substrate type, the following factors are found to be important for creating separate ecological niches in the brachionid family: temperature, oxygen content, trophic degree, chemical environment, food choice and sensitivity to predation. It is possible to delineate separate ecological niches for all brachionid rotifers, implying that Hutchinson's ideas about the plankton paradox are contradicted. Some species are specialists, other are generalists, the latter being characterized by a great morphological variation. The species are adapted in different ways to their preferential habitats, as regards foot, egg-carrying, protrusions and other lorical structures etc. Longer spines, for instance, are generally found in more transparent water, being a supposed protection against visual predators.     

Seroresponse (IgG) after Vaccination and Natural Infection of Cattle with Babesia Divergens

The antibody response against Babesia divergens in vaccinated calves and in unvaccinated sentinels on farms where vaccination had been practiced routinely, was investigated using a live vaccine. Sera were obtained before and 3 weeks after vaccination in March and April, approximately 1 month before the animals were put out on pasture. Additional blood samples were collected at the end of the grazing season and again the next spring. At that time previously unvaccinated sentinel calves were vaccinated and their antibody response was tested 3 weeks later. All sera were analysed by an IF-technique. All of the vaccinated calves (100%) were seropositive 3 weeks after vaccination. The seroresponse did not differ signifacantly between animals vaccinated before their first or second grazing season although the age difference was about 12 months. No clinical symptoms of babesiosis were seen in vaccinated animals. The titres were, however, significantly higher 3 weeks after vaccination than 6 months later. After the grazing season about 42% of the unvaccinated sentinel calves were sero–positve. Two of these calves had clinical babesiosis on pasture in July and September respectively. The number of sentinel calves which became infected on pasture showed a large farm-to-farm variation although all cattle on the farms once had been infected-/vaccinated with B. divergens. Probably the different number of calves infected was a reflection of a variation in tick density on the different pastures. All calves, which were seropositive after the grazing season, were also seropositive after 6 months indoors. The titres declined during the winter period, but they were still within the range of 2 doubling dilution steps.     

Clinical and Serological Response after Experimental Inoculation with Babesia Divergens of Newborn Calves with and without Maternal Antibodies

The influence of maternal antibodies on clinical and serological response after experimental inoculation with Babesia divergens of newborn calves was studied. Five calves, born to dams seropositive for B.divergens, (Group 1) had specific maternal antibodies when tested 12 h after their first feeding of colostrum. At that point they were inoculated i.v. with B.divergens infected erythrocytes. Five other calves, born to dams seronegative for B.divergens, (Group 2) had no Babesia specific maternal antibodies when inoculated at the same age. Babesia divergens organisms were demonstrated in blood smears from calves in both groups at some point 5 to 10 days p.i. All calves in both groups had B.divergens specific IgM antibodies at 7 to 17 days p.i. as shown by a modified IF-test. Specific IgG antibodies, transferred by colostrum, were found in all calves of Group 1 before inoculation of B.divergens. The IgG titre of these animals increased by a doubling dilution step at 11–25 days p.i. Among calves of Group 2 specific IgG antibodies were found at first between day 9 and 15 p.i. Both IgM and IgG antibody titres had to be investigated since demonstrated IgG antibodies can originate both from maternally transferred antibodies and from actively produced antibodies after an infection. There was no difference in clinical parameters; parasitaemia, PCV, Hb, and rectal temperature between the groups. This experiment gives evidence that there can be a resistance to bovine babesiosis in newborn calves independent of maternal antibodies.     

Potentiation of antibody responses by specific IgM: specificity and thymus dependency

Modulation of antibody responses induced by IgM directed against the immunogen was investigated. When IgM directed against ox erythrocytes (ORBC) was given together with trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ORBC, the subsequent antibody response to the carrier, ORBC, as well as the response to the hapten, TNP, was potentiated. In contrast, IgG with carrier specificity inhibited both responses. The hapten-specific potentiation was found in both direct and indirect plaques, and was antigen-dose dependent, i.e., no potentiation was found with the lowest antigen doses. The response to 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-labeled proteins was potentiated by a monoclonal IgM with specificity for the hapten. The effects were observed both in primary and secondary responses. One strict requirement for IgM potentiation to occur was observed. The determinant against which potentiation was achieved had to be physically linked to the determinant against which the IgM was directed, be it hapten or carrier determinants. Thus, irrelevant IgM-antigen complexes were incapable of potentiating the responses. Similar specificity requirements were found for IgG induced suppression of antibody responses. Experiments with nude mice and their euthymic littermates showed that IgM potentiation of antibody production is T-cell dependent. Furthermore, passive transfer of carrier-primed spleen cells together with antigen challenge suggests that IgM potentiation of secondary antibody responses is dependent on specific carrier-primed immune T cells.     

On the ecology of Colurellidae (Rotifera)

A material consisting of 45 colurellid rotifers from diverse waters in south and central Sweden was analyzed to reveal their relationships to their substrate. Periphytic substrates were generally preferred. Most species are obviously mobile and more or less euryecious, but a few show a predilection for bog environments. Some colurellids are euryhaline, but when inhabiting fresh water they prefer rivers and other environments with a high oxygen concentration, probably because of problems with osmoregulation.     

On choice of substrate and habitat in bdelzoid rotifers

Information on the distributions of 77 bdelloid rotifers from diverse waters in south and central Sweden was analyzed to reveal their relationships to substrate and habitat. Only two species were reported from plankton, both in low frequency. An artificial substrate, white cotton, was utilized only by few bdelloids, mainly by species with eyes. Only one species occurred at higher frequency on the saprobic substrate Sphaerotilus. Most bdelloids prefer environments rich in oxygen, but some species may be found in soft-bottom sediments. Several species dwell preferentially in diverse habitats of bogs. Some bdelloids have an exceptionally broad ecological range, but even for these is it possible to distinguish a pattern of preference and avoidance.     

On the ecology of Dicranophoridae (Rotifera)

Information on the distribution of 59 dicranophorid rotifers from diverse habitats in south and central Sweden was analyzed to reveal their relationships to their substrate. They were mainly frequenting macrophytic vegetation. Even some species which have previously been regarded as psammobionts were mostly or only found on periphytic substrates. Like other raptorial predators, dicranophorids have a very broad ecological range.     

Long-term decline in numbers of cyclic voles in boreal Sweden: analysis and presentation of hypotheses

Cyclic vole populations, defined as showing fairly regular 3–4 yr density fluctuations but with variable amplitudes, were monitored in boreal Sweden in spring and fall 1971–2002, starting in fall 1971. Voles were snap-trapped on permanent sampling plots at the landscape level within a 100 by 100 km study area north of Umeå. The predominating species trapped were Clethrionomys glareolus, C. rufocanus and Microtus agrestis. In addition to the 3–4 yr cycles, there was a long-term decrease in numbers and amplitude of the fluctuations, which was especially conspicuous in C. rufocanus. In this latter species there was a persistent decline of both spring and fall densities, apparently bringing the population close to extinction in the area. However, the decline of spring densities from the 1970s to the 1980s and onwards was also evident in C. glareolous and M. agrestis. The declines in numbers and amplitude were largely linked to an increased frequency and/or accentuation of winter declines, which more or less neutralized or even overrode the density increase during the reproductive season in the previous summer, especially so in the second year of the cycles. Thereby the gradual two-large-step build-up of high spring densities, very much founding the base for the very large peak densities and amplitudes in the 1970s, was successively replaced by a one-smaller-step build-up of more modest spring densities, leading to lower peak densities and amplitudes in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Understanding the causes of the increased frequency and/or severeness of winter declines appears critical to understanding the observed long-term changes in numbers. However, the underlying causes of the increase of winter declines and the decrease of densities and amplitudes are unknown, but some hypotheses are presented and discussed here. Also, some implications from the decreased vole abundance for reproduction and densities of predators on the voles, and on predators’ alternative prey species, are briefly discussed.