Rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in polar bears and marine mammals around Svalbard

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Main Authors: Jensen, S K, Aars, Jon, Lydersen, Christian, Kovacs, Kit Maureen, Åsbakk, K
Format: Dataset Open Access
Language:en
Published: PANGAEA 2010
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author Jensen, S K
Aars, Jon
Lydersen, Christian
Kovacs, Kit Maureen
Åsbakk, K
author_facet Jensen, S K
Aars, Jon
Lydersen, Christian
Kovacs, Kit Maureen
Åsbakk, K
collection Datos científicos de ciencias marinas y ambientales
contents Little is known about the prevalence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the arctic marine food chain of Svalbard, Norway. In this study, plasma samples were analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using a direct agglutination test. Antibody prevalence was 45.6% among polar bears (Ursus maritimus), 18.7% among ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and 66.7% among adult bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) from Svalbard, but no sign of antibodies were found in bearded seal pups, harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) or narwhals (Monodon monoceros) from the same area. Prevalence was significantly higher in male polar bears (52.3%) compared with females (39.3%), likely due to dietary differences between the sexes. Compared to an earlier study, T. gondii prevalence in polar bears has doubled in the past decade. Consistently, an earlier study on ringed seals did not detect T. gondii. The high recent prevalence in polar bears, ringed seals and bearded seals could be caused by an increase in the number or survivorship of oocysts being transported via the North Atlantic Current to Svalbard from southern latitudes. Warmer water temperatures have led to influxes of temperate marine invertebrate filter-feeders that could be vectors for oocysts and warmer water is also likely to favour higher survivorship of oocycts. However, a more diverse than normal array of migratory birds in the Archipelago recently, as well as a marked increase in cruise-ship and other human traffic are also potential sources of T. gondii.
format Dataset Open Access
id pangaea_https___doi_org_10_1594_PANGAEA_811596
institution PANGAEA
language en
publishDate 2010
publisher PANGAEA
record_format pangaea
spellingShingle Rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in polar bears and marine mammals around Svalbard
Jensen, S K
Aars, Jon
Lydersen, Christian
Kovacs, Kit Maureen
Åsbakk, K
Biological sample; BIOS; International Polar Year (2007-2008); IPY; Svalbard; Svalbard_bear
Little is known about the prevalence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the arctic marine food chain of Svalbard, Norway. In this study, plasma samples were analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using a direct agglutination test. Antibody prevalence was 45.6% among polar bears (Ursus maritimus), 18.7% among ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and 66.7% among adult bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) from Svalbard, but no sign of antibodies were found in bearded seal pups, harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) or narwhals (Monodon monoceros) from the same area. Prevalence was significantly higher in male polar bears (52.3%) compared with females (39.3%), likely due to dietary differences between the sexes. Compared to an earlier study, T. gondii prevalence in polar bears has doubled in the past decade. Consistently, an earlier study on ringed seals did not detect T. gondii. The high recent prevalence in polar bears, ringed seals and bearded seals could be caused by an increase in the number or survivorship of oocysts being transported via the North Atlantic Current to Svalbard from southern latitudes. Warmer water temperatures have led to influxes of temperate marine invertebrate filter-feeders that could be vectors for oocysts and warmer water is also likely to favour higher survivorship of oocycts. However, a more diverse than normal array of migratory birds in the Archipelago recently, as well as a marked increase in cruise-ship and other human traffic are also potential sources of T. gondii.
title Rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in polar bears and marine mammals around Svalbard
topic Biological sample; BIOS; International Polar Year (2007-2008); IPY; Svalbard; Svalbard_bear
url https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.811596