Factors Of Parasitic Virulence
Beginning of paper
Why do some parasites kill the host they depend upon while
others coexist with their host? Two prime factors determine parasitic
virulence: the manner in which the parasite is transmitted, and the
evolutionary history of the parasite and its host. Parasites which
have colonized a new host speci ....
Middle of paper
.... factors.
INTRODUCTION
Why do certain parasites exhibit high levels of virulence within
their host populations while others exhibit low virulence? The two
prime factors most frequently cited (Esch and Fernandez 1993, Toft et
al. 1991) are evolutionary history and mode of transmission.
Incongruently evolved parasite-host associations are characterized by
high virulence, while congruent evolution may result in reduced
virulence (Toft et al. 1991). Parasites ....
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Page count: 11 (approximately 250 words per page)
