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Ice as a reservoir for pathogenic human viruses: specifically, caliciviruses, influenza viruses, and enteroviruses

Alvin W Smith1, Douglas E Skilling, John D Castello

  • 1Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.

Medical Hypotheses
|August 25, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Ancient ice and permafrost harbor viable microbes, including potential viral pathogens. These environmental ice reservoirs pose risks to global health and pathogen eradication efforts.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Viable bacteria and fungi have been recovered from ancient ice and permafrost.
  • Evidence suggests viral pathogens may also be preserved in ice repositories like glaciers and lake ice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the hypothesis that viral pathogens are preserved in ice.
  • To identify criteria for targeting candidate viruses in ice repositories.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing criteria for viral pathogen survival and deposition in ice.
  • Evaluating specific viruses (caliciviruses, influenza A, enteroviruses) against these criteria.

Main Results:

  • Caliciviruses, influenza A, and certain enteroviruses meet the criteria for viruses preserved in ice.
  • Environmental ice is identified as a significant abiotic reservoir for pathogenic microbes.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental ice acts as a substantial reservoir for potentially infectious viral pathogens.
  • The vast microbial content of ice could impact global health and pathogen eradication strategies.

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