Parasite and host assemblages: embracing the reality will improve our knowledge of parasite transmission and virulence.
Summary of "Parasite and host assemblages: embracing the reality will improve our knowledge of parasite transmission and virulence."
Interactions involving several parasite species (multi-parasitized hosts) or several host species (multi-host parasites) are the rule in nature. Only a few studies have investigated these realistic, but complex, situations from an evolutionary perspective. Consequently, their impact on the evolution of parasite virulence and transmission remains poorly understood. The mechanisms by which multiple infections may influence virulence and transmission include the dynamics of intrahost competition, mediation by the host immune system and an increase in parasite genetic recombination. Theoretical investigations have yet to be conducted to determine which of these mechanisms are likely to be key factors in the evolution of virulence and transmission. In contrast, the relationship between multi-host parasites and parasite virulence and transmission has seen some theoretical investigation. The key factors in these models are the trade-off between virulence across different host species, variation in host species quality and patterns of transmission. The empirical studies on multi-host parasites suggest that interspecies transmission plays a central role in the evolution of virulence, but as yet no complete picture of the phenomena involved is available. Ultimately, determining how complex host-parasite interactions impact the evolution of host-parasite relationships will require the development of cross-disciplinary studies linking the ecology of quantitative networks with the evolution of virulence.
Affiliation
Laboratoire Biogéosciences, CNRS UMR 5561, Université de Bourgogne, Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. thierry.rigaud@u-bourgogne.fr
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society
ISSN: 1471-2954
Pages: 3693-702
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20667874
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.1163
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Host-parasite Interactions
The relationship between an invertebrate and another organism (the host), one of which lives at the expense of the other. Traditionally excluded from definition of parasites are pathogenic BACTERIA; FUNGI; VIRUSES; and PLANTS; though they may live parasitically.
Natural History
A former branch of knowledge embracing the study, description, and classification of natural objects (as animals, plants, and minerals) and thus including the modern sciences of zoology, botany, and mineralogy insofar as they existed at that time. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries it was much used for the generalized pursuit of certain areas of science. (Webster, 3d ed; from Dr. James H. Cassedy, NLM History of Medicine Division)
Metagenomics
The genomic analysis of assemblages of organisms.
Dirofilaria Immitis
A filarial parasite primarily of dogs but occurring also in foxes, wolves, and humans. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Schistosoma Mansoni
A species of trematode blood flukes of the family Schistosomatidae. It is common in the Nile delta. The intermediate host is the planorbid snail. This parasite causes schistosomiasis mansoni and intestinal bilharziasis.
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