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Updated: Jul 24, 2025
08:38
Using a Bacterial Pathogen to Probe for Cellular and Organismic-level Host Responses
Published on: February 22, 2019
5.9K
Responding to infection affects more than just the host
1Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|July 1, 2023
Summary
Infections cause significant host changes that impact other organisms beyond the host. This research highlights the need to consider these "off-host" ecological effects.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Host-pathogen interactions
- Physiology
Background:
- Infections induce profound physiological and behavioral alterations in hosts.
- These host responses can extend beyond the individual organism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To raise awareness of the ecological consequences of host responses to infection.
- To advocate for the integration of 'off-host' effects into ecological studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual synthesis.
- Ecological impact assessment framework.
Main Results:
- Host responses to infection have significant, often overlooked, impacts on surrounding ecosystems.
- These effects can alter community structures and ecosystem functions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding 'off-host' effects is crucial for a comprehensive view of infection ecology.
- Future research should incorporate these broader ecological impacts.
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