THE ARCTIC CLIMATE IMPACT ON THE NON-SPECIFIC RESISTANCE OF THE EXTREME NORTH INHABITANTS

Immunity is the ability of the body to resist pathogens. There are various forms of immunity. The non-specific resistance (i.e. preexisting immunity, innate resistance) is the most powerful immunity form. It is possessed by most species, and characterised by several features: only non-immunized organisms have the non-specific resistance; all organisms of this species possess it from their birth to death; it is characterised by high activity but low specificity of action. This form of immunity is provided by barrier and antimicrobic skin properties and mucous membranes, cellular factors (phagocytic reaction of microphages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes), humoral factors (complement system, lysozyme, beta-lysin, interferon and other antimicrobial proteins).
The protective properties of a human body considerably depend on the environmental quality which is determined by a wide range of environmental factors of natural or human origin. In the Arctic zone it is caused by a large number of pollutants coming into the environment, low level of control over the storage and disposal of industrial, agricultural and household waste. The health of people, especially children, are under constant influence of the limiting eco-factors such as low temperatures throughout the year, permafrost distribution, electromagnetic storms, high wind speed, scraggy trees or their complete absence, the polar night. The effect of the environment is especially severe on the life activities of the Northern regions population. The study was carried out mainly on the territory of the Murmansk region and the Republic of Karelia.