[Symbionts of Mytilus edulis in the littoral and sublittoral zones of the Kandalaksha and Onega Gulfs of the White Sea].

Composition of the fauna of organisms associated with Mytilus edulis in the Kandalaksha and Onega Gulfs of the White Sea has been examined. The following 8 symbiotic species were revealed: Choricystis sp. (Chloro[hyceae), Peniculistoma mytili, Ancistrum mytili (Ciliata, Oligohymenophorea), Urastoma cyprinae, Paravortex sp. (Platyhelminthes, Rhabditophora), and metacercaria of Cercaria parvicaudata, Himasthla sp., and Gymnophallus sp. (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda). Besides, different free-living organisms were found in the mantle cavity; 6 species of nematodes, the planktonic copepod Microsetella norvegica, undetermined copepods, isopod Jaera sp., sea mites of the family Halacaridae, and chironomid larvae. Parameters of infestation and places of localization in the host are given for each group of organisms. Some regularities in the horizontal and vertical distribution of organisms associated with M. edulis are noted.

Plasma defensin concentrations are elevated in patients with septicemia or bacterial meningitis.

We measured concentrations of defensins (human neutrophil peptides) in the plasma of healthy volunteers and patients with sepsis and meningitis. When a sensitive enzyme immunoassay was used, defensins were detected in plasma samples from 13 of 24 healthy blood donors, with a mean +/- SD of 42 +/- 53 ng/ml. Defensin levels in plasma samples from seven patients with sepsis at the onset of disease ranged from 900 ng/ml to 170,000 ng/ml. In 10 patients with meningitis in the initial phase of disease, plasma defensin concentrations ranged from 120 ng/ml to 910 ng/ml. Defensin concentrations in the plasma of both patient groups were significantly higher than those in healthy blood donors (p << 0.01), and patients with sepsis had higher defensin levels than patients with meningitis (p < 0.01). Defensin levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower after the beginning of specific antibiotic therapy. Defensin concentrations in the plasma of patients with sepsis and meningitis correlated only weakly (r = 0.38) with blood neutrophil count. In vitro studies of defensin added to plasma indicated that all defensin was bound to plasma proteins. At high concentrations (1000 micrograms/ml), defensins caused precipitation of plasma proteins. Because plasma defensin levels may reflect neutrophil activation at sites of infection and inflammation, studies of the clinical utility of defensin ELISA are indicated.