Abstract
A lack of knowledge of naturally occurring pathogens is limiting our ability to use the Antarctic to study the impact human-mediated introduction of infectious microorganisms have on this relatively uncontaminated environment. As no large-scale coordinated effort to remedy this lack of knowledge has taken place, we rely on smaller targeted efforts to both study present microorganisms and monitor the environment for introductions. In one such effort, we isolated Campylobacter species from fecal samples collected from wild birds in the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Indeed, in South Georgia, we found Campylobacter lari and the closely related Campylobacter peloridis, but also distantly related human-associated multilocus sequence types of Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, in the Antarctic Peninsula, we found C. lari and two closely related species, Campylobacter subantarcticus and Campylobacter volucris, but no signs of human introduction. In fact, our finding of human-associated sequence types of C. jejuni in South Georgia, but not in the Antarctic Peninsula, suggests that efforts to limit the spread of infectious microorganisms to the Antarctic have so far been successful in preventing the introduction of C. jejuni. However, we do not know how it came to South Georgia and whether the same mode of introduction could spread it from there to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Highlights
The Antarctic is among the most isolated places on Earth
Samples were collected in accordance with the Wildlife and Protected Areas (WPA) Ordinance enacted by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
Isolates recovered from the Antarctic Peninsula were identified as C. lari (75 isolates) or one of two closely related species: C. subantarcticus (25 isolates) and C. volucris (3 isolates)
Summary
By virtue of inhabiting such a remote location, Antarctic animals were long thought to be protected from disease introduction from other regions. Recent studies have reported the presence of human and animal pathogens previously believed to be absent from the region [1, 2], including Salmonella enterica serovar Enteriditis phage type 4 [3,4,5] and influenza A viruses [6]. Sustained transmission of some of these pathogens are unlikely, due to the absence of suitable vectors in the Antarctic. Others may only be limited by geographical barriers. The breakdown of such barriers due to human activity may pose a threat to the Antarctic ecosystem
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