Marine foodwebs as vector and possibly source of viruses and bacteria patogenic to humans shall be investigated in a compartive north-south study. Effects of sewage from ships traffic and urban settlements, on animals of arctic foodwebs will be studied.
Water samples: virus concentrates, indicative sewage bact. Fish and shellfish: gut contents, hepatopancreas/liver. Birds: fresh guano, occ. exudates of diseased individuals. Mammals: fresh fecal material, occ. exudates and blood, exudates of diseased individuals. (Dead individuals of birds/mammals are not collected)
RNA and DNA extracts, stored at -80 degr.C. till 2007 at least, probably at Kristineberg Marine Station, Sweden. Second contact person: dr. Bodil Hernroth.
Analyses of DNA and RNA from pathogens are performed at the Virology lab. of GU, partly at KMF. Procedures are aseptic from sampling through all steps, and carried out according to published and recommended methods and good laboratory practise. Some samples are preserved on site, all are kept frozen until analysis and stored at -80 degr.C.
Both laboratories have implemented QA/QC systems, both at the procedure and management levels. Identification of pathogens is based upon specific genetic probe or standard, or when necessary, genetic sequencing data of PCR product.
Dept. of Microbiology and Virology, Sahlgenska Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden prof. Tomas Bergström.
Financing for 2005 is applied at NFR, Oslo. No other reports are made so far.
Focus is on seals and birds that primarily depend on benthic communities, particulary shellfish, crustaceans and benthic fish species that may accumulate microbes, and on their predators, the polar bear and the polar fox. Mechanism for transmission into terrestrial foodchains and in particular, to food for human consumption, is also of concern. Given the high population of relevant seals (whalerus, bearded seal) and their predators and scavengers (polar bear, polar fox, various sea birds), as well as the high numbers of tourist ships visiting Svalbard, it is also of interest to know if present regulatory measures are sufficient to protect marine mammals from diseases that can transmit from humans or domestic animals. From autumn 2004 the project is carried out as guest scientist research at the laboratory premises of Kristineberg Marine Research Station (2.nd adress below).