Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
10:22
Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
Published on: December 4, 2015
The curse of the pharaoh hypothesis
1Laboratoire d'Ecologie, CNRS-UMR 7625, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France. sylvain.gandon@snv.jussieu.fr
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|September 23, 1998
Summary
Higher parasite survival generally leads to increased virulence, especially with multiple infections. This effect is amplified when parasite dispersal and virulence coevolve, impacting disease management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Parasitology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The 'curse of the pharaoh' metaphor links pathogen survival to virulence.
- Previous hypotheses suggest higher parasite propagule survival selects for increased virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between parasite virulence and propagule survival.
- To derive an analytic expression for the evolutionarily stable level of parasite virulence.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling of host-parasite systems at ecological equilibrium.
- Derivation of an analytic expression for virulence as a function of propagule survival.
Main Results:
- Higher propagule survival generally increases parasite virulence when multiple infections occur.
- The effect of propagule survival on virulence is enhanced by coevolving parasite dispersal.
- Inclusive effects of transmission ability significantly influence virulence evolution.
Conclusions:
- Parasite virulence is positively correlated with propagule survival under multiple infection conditions.
- Coevolution of dispersal and virulence amplifies this relationship.
- Understanding inclusive effects is crucial for effective virulence management.
More Related Videos
11:54Microsatellite DNA Genotyping and Flow Cytometry Ploidy Analyses of Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Hydatidiform Molar Tissues
Published on: October 20, 2019
09:13Understanding the Development of Compensatory Pathways in a Mutant Malaria Parasite Harbouring Hypomorphic Allele of Plant-Like Kinases
Published on: November 22, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:09Preparedness and Phobias
Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like environments.Morphological...
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist thermal...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
01:29Malaria
Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...