Swedish Institute

About: Swedish Institute is a government organization based out in Stockholm, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 1657 authors who have published 2301 publications receiving 103682 citations. The organization is also known as: Svenska Institutet.

Inactivation of microorganisms using pulsed electric fields: the influence of process parameters on Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract: This study examines the killing effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on four organisms suspended in a model medium Escherichia coli , Listeria innocua , Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae differ in size, shape and cell wall construction The electric field strength, pulse duration and number of pulses were varied in the ranges of 25–35 kV/cm, 2–4 μs and 20–40 pulses, respectively The results showed that S cerevisiae was the most sensitive organism with a 6-log reduction, followed by E coli with a 54-log reduction, when they were exposed to 30 kV/cm, and 20 pulses with 4 μs duration The most resistant organisms were L innocua and L mesenteroides with only a 3-log reduction, however, by increasing the parameters to 35 kV/cm and 40 pulses with 4 μs pulse duration; marked viability reductions of 8 and 7 log, respectively, were observed Heat, which is generated during the process, has limited killing effect on the cells, hence the observed reduction can be ascribed to the PEF treatment Although transmission electron microscopy of PEF treated cells did not confirm membrane damage, observations suggest that PEF treatments have profound direct or indirect effects on the intracellular organisation of microorganisms

ORWARE – A simulation model for organic waste handling systems. Part 1: Model description

Abstract: A simulation model, ORWARE (ORganic WAste REsearch), for the handling of organic waste in urban areas has been constructed. The model provides a comprehensive view of the environmental effects, pla ...

Influenza Virus in a Natural Host, the Mallard: Experimental Infection Data

Abstract: Wild waterfowl, particularly dabbling ducks such as mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), are considered the main reservoir of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs). They carry viruses that may evolve and become highly pathogenic for poultry or zoonotic. Understanding the ecology of LPAIVs in these natural hosts is therefore essential. We assessed the clinical response, viral shedding and antibody production of juvenile mallards after intra-esophageal inoculation of two LPAIV subtypes previously isolated from wild congeners. Six ducks, equipped with data loggers that continually monitored body temperature, heart rate and activity, were successively inoculated with an H7N7 LPAI isolate (day 0), the same H7N7 isolate again (day 21) and an H5N2 LPAI isolate (day 35). After the first H7N7 inoculation, the ducks remained alert with no modification of heart rate or activity. However, body temperature transiently increased in four individuals, suggesting that LPAIV strains may have minor clinical effects on their natural hosts. The excretion patterns observed after both re-inoculations differed strongly from those observed after the primary H7N7 inoculation, suggesting that not only homosubtypic but also heterosubtypic immunity exist. Our study suggests that LPAI infection has minor clinically measurable effects on mallards and that mallard ducks are able to mount immunological responses protective against heterologous infections. Because the transmission dynamics of LPAIVs in wild populations is greatly influenced by individual susceptibility and herd immunity, these findings are of high importance. Our study also shows the relevance of using telemetry to monitor disease in animals.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Belarus: the size of the problem and associated risk factors

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the problem of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) throughout Belarus and investigate the associated risk factors. METHODS: In a nationwide survey in 2010-2011, 1420 tuberculosis (TB) patients were screened and 934 new and 410 previously treated cases ofTB were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from each eligible patient were tested for susceptibility to anti-TB drugs. Sociobehavioural information was gathered in interviews based on a structured questionnaire. FINDINGS: MDR-TB was found in 32.3% and 75.6% of the new and previously treated patients, respectively, and, 11.9% of the 612 patients found to have MDR-TB had extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). A history of previous treatment for TB was the strongest independent risk factor for MDR-TB (odds ratio, OR: 6.1; 95% confidence interval, CI: 4.8-7.7). The other independent risk factors were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4-3.5), age < 35 years (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.8), history of imprisonment (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0), disability sufficient to prevent work (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.0), alcohol abuse (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.8) and smoking (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0). CONCLUSION: MDR-TB is very common among TB patients throughout Belarus. The numerous risk factors identified for MDR-TB and the convergence of the epidemics of MDR-TB and HIV infection call not only for stronger collaboration between TB and HIV control programmes, but also for the implementation of innovative measures to accelerate the detection of TB resistance and improve treatment adherence.