Sterility virulence, or the reduction in host fecundity due to infection, occurs in many host-pathogen systems. Notably, sterility virulence is more common for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than for directly transmitted pathogens, while other forms of virulence tend to be limited in STIs. This has led to the suggestion that sterility virulence may have an adaptive explanation. By focusing upon finite population models, we show that the observed patterns of sterility virulence can be explained by consideration of the epidemiological differences between STIs and directly transmitted pathogens. In particular, when pathogen transmission is predominantly density invariant (as for STIs), and mortality is density dependent, sterility virulence can be favored by demographic stochasticity, whereas if pathogen transmission is predominantly density dependent, as is common for most directly transmitted pathogens, sterility virulence is disfavored. We show these conclusions can hold even if there is a weak selective advantage to sterilizing.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/evo.13718 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Genomic characteristics and molecular epidemiology of MRSA from medical centers in Mexico: Results from the Invifar network.
PLoS One
January 2025
Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.
Introduction: The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genome varies by geographical location. This study aims to determine the genomic characteristics of MRSA using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from medical centers in Mexico and to explore the associations between antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors.
Methods: This study included 27 clinical isolates collected from sterile sites at eight centers in Mexico in 2022 and 2023.
A single entomopathogenic nematode infection assay for larvae.
MethodsX
June 2025
Infection and Innate Immunity Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema hermaphroditum can efficiently infect the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The EPN infective juvenile (IJ) stage is the free-living and non-feeding stage that seeks out suitable insects to infect. While previous studies have described successful infection of melanogaster larvae with a standard amount of 100 IJs, the pathogenicity of a single IJ nematode towards insects remains poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence.
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in pregnant females.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Genes of Nigerian Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) Field Isolates Contain Mutations Common to Both European and US High Virulence Strains.
Viruses
December 2024
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
Background: Marek's disease (MD) is a pathology affecting chickens caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV), an acute transforming alphaherpesvirus of the genus . MD is characterized by paralysis, immune suppression, and the rapid formation of T-cell (primarily CD4+) lymphomas. Over the last 50 years, losses due to MDV infection have been controlled worldwide through vaccination; however, these live-attenuated vaccines are non-sterilizing and potentially contributed to the virulence evolution of MDV field strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSerovars from the C-Complex and the B- and C-Related Complexes Are Significantly More Pathogenic than Those from the B-Complex in C3H/HeN but Not in BALB/c Mice.
Pathogens
January 2025
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
Studies in humans indicate that certain serovars are more pathogenic than others. Specifically, several studies concluded that serovars from the C-complex are more pathogenic than those from the B-complex, although there are reports that do not support this finding. To investigate these results in an animal model, the eight genitourinary serovars were tested in two strains of mice: C3H/HeN and BALB/c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!