Risk factors for the spread of infectious diseases in the Arctics

Abstract

In the conditions of further development of the Arctic it is especially important to preserve the health of the population permanently or temporarily located in this territory. In recent years significant changes have taken place in the biosphere of the Arctic region under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. The population morbidity is accounted for by a number of diseases. However, the infectious component and the factors contributing to its growth remain poorly understood. Objective. To study various biocenoses in the Arctic region as potential risk areas for the spread of infectious diseases among the population. Materials and methods. The material for microbiological studies was selected in 2018–2019 in the archipelagos of Svalbard and Severnaya Zemlya. A total of 139 samples from various samples of natural, anthropogenic and ornithogenic biocenoses were studied. Research methods: classical bacteriological, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis, statistical data analysis. Results. During the study of Arctic samples were isolated and identified 309 viable bacterial strains and representatives of 117 species of micromycetes. Of all the isolated strains, the most important are Escherichia coli, Yersinia intermedia, representatives of the genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus. Conclusion. The risk factors for the spread of infectious disease pathogens in the Arctic region were identified: an increase in the number and diversity of isolated microorganisms of medical significance in dynamics; identification of pathogens of infections associated with medical care and saprozoonoses among them. Key words: Arctic, Svalbard and Severnaya Zemlya archipelagos, infectious diseases, pathogens of medical care-related infections and saprozoonoses, polar microorganisms