TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE (MOSCOW)
2015. 16(4): 21-27
TOPICAL PAPERS

INFECTION IN NATURE. ECOLOGICAL CONCEPT

E.V. Rotshild

A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Leninsky prosp. 33, Moscow, 119071, Russia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2015-16-4-21-27 

ABSTRACT: Based on the results of many years’ research, the author and his colleagues proposed a new concept on the conditions of the emergence of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Countering from the conservative part of society makes it difficult to use the concept. The danger of losing the gained knowledge has been arisen. The problem is formulated as to explain causes of the emergence of new deadly infections. A method for its solution is proposed as to find out general patterns of infection nascence in warm-blooded beings, using natural models  plague in rodents and other animal diseases in nature. The main issues of the proposed concept are as follows. Germ source. It is proved that there is no continuous circulation of pathogenic microbes among living organisms in nature. However these microorganisms are able to live as a harmless form in microbial communities of cohabitants of the warm-blooded animals, or in their environment. These communities can serve as the germ sources for new infections. The basic principle of the concept. It is proved that animals in nature in the majority of cases become ill not due to contagion from their ill counterparts, but as a result of the influence of external and internal ecological conditions. Transmission of the contagious matter occurs at the next stage of infection as an epiphenomenon. The key event of the emergence of the infection is activation of hidden pathogenic properties of the microorganisms-cohabitants of warm-blooded animals under the influence of environmental factors. This is the logical inference from the basic principle and observations on the development of infection in nature. A property of factors that may provoke infections is the ability to cause a damaging effect on vital activity of microorganisms (sharp reduction of trace chemical elements in the environment, natural and synthetic toxic substances). Significance of the concept. It allows us to explain the reasons for the emergence of epidemics and ordinary diseases, to improve prevention and treatment measures against infections, to improve environmental protection activities; exempts from outdated views; can serve as a basis for new research directions. To save the acquired knowledge, active support of the concept by society and the government is required.

KEYWORDS: infectious diseases, causes of contagion, influence of environmental factors, trace elements.