In the scientific study of infections, the species-reservoirs concept dominates. Traditionally, the concept of the permanent presence of infection in nature is associated with E.N. Pavlovsky. In canonical form, the concept of landscape epidemiology was outlined in the late 1930s but developed into a systematic method in the 1960’s that is the accepted form today. The concept has not received a consistent theoretical development and perhaps this is not accidental because the fundamental idea associated with the presence of species-reservoirs in nature and the permanent presence of infection inevitably leads to the fact that the fundamental thesis is categorically unconfirmed. In fact, there is substantial information refuting the basic premise that underlines this approach as a convenient hypothesis to create the binding manifestations of the pathogenic properties of microorganisms to the territories or what is known as landscape epidemiology. Why is the scientific community so tenaciously holding on to the species-reservoirs concept?
In your question I am not sure if your use of the term infection is always what is meant. Many organisms that can be pathogenic are found frequently in uninfected animals, but the organisms are present in low to medium numbers in their hosts. Infestation might be a better term for this, or in the lower numbers it might even be a commensal relationship. When the host has a drop in their immune system, a nutritional change that affects the 'pathogen' population, or some physical injury, it may be the commensal then becomes a pathogen. This might account for some of the reason many accept that their are reservoirs for what might become the pathogen.
Thanks for the answer. My understanding of infection is different from what is generally accepted. It can be called "medical." The essence of the issue is that a very complex and interesting relationship in nature is explained on the basis of such a primitive concept. Lots of information is lost. As there was no answer to the question regarding single cases and mass cases. Let's say they find a pair of field mouse mice that have died from the plague. And the whole colony is alive! The main thing is that the scientific community categorically denies an alternative approach. The bottom line is that pathogenicity is based on physical and chemical changes in the environment of microorganisms.
http://www.e-epidemiology.com/Mark-Purdey/
Mark Purdey
An example of a reaction to a new fundamental understanding of infection.
"In the process of discrete activation of pathogenic properties of microorganisms, microelement gradients in the natural environment of microorganisms play an extremely important role. The microelement dynamics of the natural environment of microorganisms is the main factor leading to the manifestations of the pathogenic properties of microorganisms. This can be both natural and anthropogenic gradients".
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