Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Brucella-infections in seals: Zoonotic potential of marine Brucella sp. and the combined effect of infection and exposure to persistent organic pollutants  (Brucella-infections in seals)

Outline
This project will address the impact of Brucella-infections in seals and the ability of marine Brucella-bacteria to establish chronic infections in mice and cell culture. We will also address the link between chronic infections and possible immunosuppressive effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). We have previously isolated Brucella-bacteria from 38% of 29 hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) tested. The hooded seal is one of two commercial seal species in Norwegian and Canadian waters, and around 3-7 000 animals are harvested in Norway each year. Brucella-bacteria in terrestrial animals cause sterility (males) and abortions, and the marine bacterial variants may have impact on population dynamics and thus be an important factor in the marine ecosystem. In fact, there are indications that the amount of young animals has been decreasing significantly in this population of hooded seals the past few years. The transmission of Brucella-bacteria from mother to offspring will be studied. This will provide background data for the establishment of a theoretical infection model for marine Brucella sp. in arctic marine mammals to be able to predict impact on population level. These bacteria also have a zoonotic potential, being able to cause severe disease in man. A mouse model for experimental infections with marine Brucella isolates will be established. Immune responses and susceptibility to infection in mice, and the ability to establish chronic infections will be addressed. Also the ability to infect macrophages from seals, mice and man in culture will be studied. POPs are reported to have immunosuppressive effects in humans and animals, but controlled studies, combining infection and exposure to these pollutants are lacking. The immunosuppressive effect is reported to be through modulating the effects of the immune cells essential in the hosts` defence against infectious agents that establish chronic and persistent infections, like Brucella-bacteria. POP-compounds accumulate in fat throughout the food chain, and many indigenous communities are heavily dependent on seals as food sources and are thus exposed to POPs. The possible link between POPs and immunosuppression, and its role during chronic infection in mice will be studied in the mouse model, using Brucella-bacteria from hooded seals as the model agent. The experimental Brucella infection model seems ideal to study immunosuppressive effects of POPs since Brucella establishes chronic persistent infections. We will also start a screening of Antarctic seals for the presence of Brucella-bacteria. Brucella sp. have been found in a wide range of marine mammals, but very little focus has been put on seals on the southern hemisphere.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will contribute with knowledge on the health status of hooded and ringed seals in the Arctic (Norway and Canada) as well as of Antarctic seal species. Further, it will enlighten the impact of Brucella-infections in seals, both on the seal population but also as a potential zoonotic disease. This is important since seal meat constitutes an important source of food in many indigineous Arctic communities. The projects will be linked to other projects focused on seals, both in Norway and Canada, and together they may contribute to a better understanding of disease and organic pollutants and their effects on animals and man.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project is based on collaboration with marine mammal scientists, bacteriologists and immunologists in Scotland, Belgium, Canada and South-Africa, in addition to the group of veterinarians, biologists and toxicologists at several institutions in Norway. The project will thus link national and international experts on many different fields to achieve a broad and multi-diciplinary approach so solve the enigmas of marine mammals Brucella-bacteria and their zoonotic potential.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field work will be conducted in the pack ice north of Jan Mayen (Norway; hooded seals) and at Svalbard (Norway; ringed seals). We will also conduct field work on hooded and ringed seals in Canada (New Foundland, Arctic Canada). We will also conduct field work on seal species that breeds on Marion Island (SA) (Southern Elephant Seal and Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Fur Seal).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 04/08 (Norway)      04/07 – 05/08 (Norway)      03/07 – 06/08 (Canada)
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We intend to use the field station at New Ålesund, Svalbard, for the ringed seal activity. We would like to cooperate with another IPY project on the sampling of hooded seals north of Jan Mayen. In Canada, the sampling of seals will be conducted in cooperation with IPY#192 (ringed seals). At Marion Island, sampling will be conducted using existing infrastructure (University of Pretoria, SA).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No new infrastructure is planned to be established.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support

The logistics are established through cooperation with other institutions having field activity in the Arctic and Antacrtic (Norway, Canada, South Africa).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - Our Expression of Intent will also be submitted to the Norwegian National IPY Committee

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

The project is a new autonomous proposal. No other such activity is planned during the projects period.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised as a cooperation between all the partners identified in the application. The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, will be the ultimate responsible institution and have the leadership of the project, but the establishment of a Project Steering Committee will be considered. The project will be managed through annual meetings between representatives from all the scientific persons/groups involved. International scientific groups having responsibility as supervisors for PhD students will be organised, which will have continuous contact and regular meetings to ensure the progress and quality of the PhD work conducted. Annual reports will be submitted to the Norwegian Council of Research. The field work activity will represent another meeting point.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will produce high quality scientific articles published in peer reviewed international scientific journals. Further, the project will disseminate information to the public through national journals as well as in daily press. The project will also publish a PhD-thesis from each of the PhD-students.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data from the project will be made available for the community as soon as they are quality secured.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will apply for funding of the projects through The Norwegian Council of Research (IPY). Parts of the projects may also be funded in other agencies (Canada, South Africa).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We regard the IPY as an opportunity to fund an international project based on a broad expertise to enlighten animal and human health issues in the polar regions. Such activity are not commercially interesting, and it has shown to be difficult to establish funding through regular project applications, in spite of high grade scientific evaluations. The links described with other IPY projects should bring huge synergy effects and facilitate the generation and dissemination of knowledge from the Artcic and Antarctic.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Associate professor Morten Tryland
The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine
P.O.Box 6204
N-9292 Tromsø
Norway

Tel: (+47) 77665400
Mobile: (+47) 97124337
Fax: (+47) 77694911
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation