Antarctic isolation: Immune and viral studies

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Abstract
Stressful environmental conditions are a major determinant of immune reactivity. This effect is pronounced in Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition populations exposed to prolonged periods of isolation in the Antarctic. Alterations of T cell function, including depression of cutaneous delayed‐type hypersensitivity responses and a peak 48.9% reduction of T cell proliferation to the metogen phytohaemagglutinin, were documented during a 9‐month period of isolation. T cell dysfunction was mediated by changes within the peripheral blood mononuclear cell compartment, including a paradoxical atypical monocytosis associated with altered production of inflammatory cytokines. There was a striking reduction in the production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the predominant pro‐inflammatory monokine TNF‐α and changes were also detected in the production of IL‐1, IL‐2, IL‐6. IL‐1ra and IL‐10. Prolonged Antarctic isolation is also associated with altered latent herpesvirus homeostasis, including increased herpesvirus shedding and expansion of the polyclonal latent Epstein‐Barr virus‐infected B cell population. These findings have important long‐term health implications.