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Within-host dynamics of mycoplasma infections: conjunctivitis in wild passerine birds

Paul J Hurtado1

  • 1Center for Applied Mathematics, 657 Frank H.T. Rhodes Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ph62@cornell.edu

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|June 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study models the vertebrate immune response to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infections in birds. Bird immune response effectiveness, particularly non-specific immunity, significantly impacts MG infection patterns and host survival.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Host-pathogen interactions are central to infectious disease dynamics across all levels of biological organization.
  • Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) causes significant disease in passerine birds, particularly house finches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the vertebrate immune response to mycoplasma infections.
  • To identify key host and pathogen characteristics influencing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection dynamics in house finches and other passerine birds.
  • To determine factors affecting host infectiousness and survival.

Main Methods:

  • Development and analysis of a mathematical model simulating vertebrate immune response to mycoplasma.
  • Identification of critical parameters related to host immunity and pathogen virulence.

Main Results:

  • Variation in house finch susceptibility to MG is largely attributed to differences in non-specific immune response effectiveness.
  • Intrinsic pathogen growth rate, non-specific immune response strength, and specific immune response effectiveness are crucial for host infectiousness and survival.

Conclusions:

  • Host variation in non-specific immunity is a primary driver of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection patterns in house finches.
  • Understanding molecular interactions between mycoplasmas and host immune responses is key to elucidating disease dynamics, pathogen load, and symptom development.

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