A general framework for modelling the impact of co-infections on pathogen evolution
1Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA , USA.
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|June 27, 2019
Summary
Mixed-strain pathogen infections drive evolution. A new framework shows co-infection R0 predicts evolutionary emergence, with strain dominance crucial for mutant invasion and saving maladapted strains.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Infectious disease dynamics
- Theoretical ecology
Background:
- Mixed-strain infections (co-infections) are recognized as significant drivers of pathogen evolution.
- Understanding the within-host dynamics of co-infections is complex, hindering generalizable insights into their evolutionary impact.
- Existing theoretical models often oversimplify the intricate interactions occurring during co-infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a generalized framework for analyzing within-host co-infection dynamics.
- To identify key outcomes of co-infections that influence pathogen evolution.
- To establish a predictive relationship between co-infection characteristics and evolutionary emergence.
Main Methods:
- Developed a general framework to condense complex within-host co-infection dynamics into key outcomes, focusing on the overall basic reproduction number (R0).
- Utilized a within-host model to explore how strain interactions generate dominance.
- Employed an epidemiological model to test the predictive power of dominance for evolutionary emergence.
Main Results:
- The overall R0 of a co-infection is a product of individual strain R0 values, modulated by within-host interactions.
- Strain dominance within co-infections emerges from these within-host dynamics.
- Dominance was demonstrated as a robust predictor of a mutant strain's ability to facilitate the evolutionary emergence of a maladapted wild-type strain.
Conclusions:
- Co-infection dynamics can be simplified into a framework centered on overall R0 and strain dominance.
- Strain dominance, arising from within-host interactions, is a critical factor in predicting pathogen evolutionary trajectories.
- This framework offers a powerful tool for understanding how co-infections influence pathogen evolution and the emergence of new strains.
Related Concept Videos
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
47.7K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
47.7K
01:54Convergent Evolution
31.5K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
31.5K
01:24Eukaryotic Evolution
40.3K
The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...
40.3K
02:31Synteny and Evolution
3.8K
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
3.8K
01:19Impact of Groups on Groups
236
Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
236
01:30Impact
483
Impact occurs when two bodies collide, leading to the application of impulsive forces between them. Analyzing impact mechanics involves considering two colliding particles moving along a line known as the line of impact, which passes through their centers and is perpendicular to the contact plane.
When particles with different initial velocities collide, they induce deformation by applying equal and opposite impulses. At the point of maximum deformation, the particles move together with...
When particles with different initial velocities collide, they induce deformation by applying equal and opposite impulses. At the point of maximum deformation, the particles move together with...
483