Antarctic wildlife exposed to human-related pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant microbes – MercoPress

Antarctic wildlife exposed to human-related pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant microbes

Infectious diseases are usually transmitted from humans to animals, but a new study is the first to document human-caused pathogens on the isolated continent of Antarctica. The researchers discovered antibiotic-resistant microbes and other bacterial strains in bird poop, raising new concerns about the health of Antarctic bird colonies.

"It is reasonable to think that the rapid increase in tourism has increased the risk of pathogen invasion," said Professor Jacob González-Solís, co-author of the study, from the University of Barcelona. "Sooner or later, the transmission of one of these pathogens will destroy a local bird population."

The survey has focused on the droppings of hundreds of birds from 24 different species, such as jumping penguins and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatrosses. Between 2008 and 2011, poo samples were collected at four sites in the Antarctic Ocean, including Livingston, Marion Island, Gough Island and the Falkland Islands. These are all areas along bird migration routes that are frequented by tourists.

The research team discovered traces of the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, one of the most common sources of food poisoning in the United States and Europe. They also detected a strain of Salmonella usually badociated with birds in urban areas, as well as an antibiotic-resistant strain of a gastrointestinal virus called Campylobacter lari.

Professor González-Solís predicts that although Salmonella and Campylobacter are not necessarily life-threatening, pathogens could have "devastating consequences" on Antarctic bird colonies, as they do not occur. have never been exposed to these strains. According to the researchers, the bacteria could come from domestic poultry, tourist cruises or research centers.

Kyle Elliott is an ornithologist and ecologist at McGill University and did not participate in the research. He told Science magazine, "We often think that polar environments are too cold and that disease transmission is not a huge threat, but the authors have clearly shown that bacteria can spread widely in polar environments." (Chrissy Sexton from Earth.com)

TThe study is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.