KLEBSIELLA I PAPPERSBRUKSRECIPIENTER / Klebsiella in Paper Mill Recipients
Possible reasons for the development of greater numbers of bacteria in paper-mill processes from the time around 1965 and onwards are discussed. The proportion of enterobacteria was relatively constant, a few per cent of the colony forming units (CFU) with Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Erwinia dominating among members of Enterobacteriaceae. The concern for the possible effects caused by greater quantities of Klebsiella pneumoniae motivated large efforts within this field of research. The main reasons why the environmental varieties of Klebsiella pnenmoniae often reached very great numbers were: possibility to utilize carbohydrates difficult to digest, to fix atmospheric nitrogen, to grow aerobically as well as anaerobically, and at elevated temperatures, and to withstand high levels of toxic agents. At the same time these bacteria stick to surfaces, and are often protected by thick slime layers. These bacteria are probably more valuable than dangerous e.g. to the purification of the recipient. “Complete abstract not presented.”