Seasonal variation of Mastophorus muris (Nematoda: Spirurida) in the water vole Arvicola amphibius from southern Sweden.

This study focused on the spirurid nematode Mastophorus muris in water voles (Arvicola amphibius) trapped in three regions in southern Sweden during spring and fall 2013. The collection of water voles formed part of a larger project (EMIRO) on the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis in rodents. The voles' stomach contents were examined for the presence of M. muris. Prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity of infection were calculated. A generalized linear model model was used to examine the effects of sex, functional group, season and region on the number of M. muris individuals in each vole. Forty-seven of 181 (26%) voles were infected with M. muris, with up to 74 worms each. The overall mean intensity (worms per infected vole) was 15 (95% CI 10-21), and abundance (mean number of worms in all voles) was 4 (95% CI 2-6). Model output indicated a significant effect of season and region with respect to abundance of nematode infection, which was independent of sex and functional group of the investigated host.

Investigations and actions taken during 2011 due to the first finding of Echinococcus multilocularis in Sweden.

Echinococcus multilocularis is a parasite that can cause alveolar echinococcosis disease. After the first positive finding of E. multilocularis in Sweden in 2011, a consulting group with representatives from relevant authorities was summoned. In this group, all relevant information was shared, strategies for information dissemination and any actions to be taken due to the finding of E. multilocularis were discussed and decided. The present paper describes the actions taken during 2011 and the results thereof, including surveillance in animals, risk assessment for humans to become infected and recommendations given to the public. Further discussion about whether the parasite was introduced, and if so, how, as well as possible future development of the infection in animals and humans in Sweden and future actions are included.

Effects of graded insulin infusions on plasma levels of free fatty acids, adrenaline and noradrenaline directly after open heart surgery.

A four-hour insulin "clamp" technique was used to study the dose-response relationship between a wide range of plasma concentrations of insulin (5.0-7000 mU/l), free fatty acids, adrenaline and noradrenaline in 28 patients directly after open heart surgery. The influence of beta-blockers is discussed. All patients had elevated levels of free fatty acids at the beginning of the study (1020 +/- 77 mumol/l). After 4 hours the decline in free fatty acids was significant in all insulin-treated patients and most pronounced in the groups with insulin concentrations of more than approximately 350 mU/l, i.e. when insulin was infused with 0.3 units/kg bw/hour or more. No significant decrease in free fatty acids was observed in the control group. Adrenaline and noradrenaline in plasma were markedly increased throughout the study and were unaffected by the insulin infusions in all groups.