Polar bears as a sentinel for emerging wildlife zoonoses with implications for public health in Alaska, southern Beaufort Sea, (2007-2014)

This project analyzed serum and plasma samples from the southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population from 2007 to 2014 to determine the current and past prevalence of diseases (Brucella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii) and exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The data provided information on demographic characteristics of individual polar bears sampled, along with measured exposure to infectious agents and contaminants. The overarching objective of the study was to characterize patterns of exposure over time. Polar bears were captured on the sea ice from late March to early May, 2007-2014. Blood samples were collected and tested for antibodies to Brucella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii. The Brucella antigen card test and standard plate test were performed.

本研究针对2007年至2014年采集的波弗特海南部北极熊种群的血清与血浆样本展开分析，旨在明确该种群当前及过往的疾病流行率（涉及布鲁氏菌属（Brucella spp.）、贝氏柯克斯体（C. burnetii）与刚地弓形虫（T. gondii）），以及其对持久性有机污染物（Persistent Organic Pollutants，简称POPs）的暴露情况。本数据集涵盖了所采样单只北极熊的种群统计特征信息，同时包含其感染病原体与接触污染物的检测结果。本研究的核心目标为刻画随时间变化的病原体接触与污染物暴露模式。2007年至2014年的3月末至5月初，研究人员在海冰上捕获了北极熊样本。采集血液样本后，对布鲁氏菌属、贝氏柯克斯体与刚地弓形虫的抗体进行了检测。本次检测采用了布鲁氏菌抗原卡片试验与标准平板试验两种方法。