Guarding Against the Most Dangerous Emerging Pathogens: Insights from Evolutionary Biology
1996
Guarding Against the Most Dangerous Emerging Pathogens: Insights from Evolutionary Biology
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Paul W. Ewald
Primary Institution: Amherst College
Hypothesis
Improved understanding of the evolution of virulence can facilitate the identification and control of the most dangerous emerging pathogens.
Conclusion
Understanding the evolution of virulence helps in identifying and focusing on the most dangerous pathogens for control efforts.
Supporting Evidence
- Pathogens that exploit hosts more intensively tend to be more virulent.
- High virulence can contribute to evolutionary stability if the costs of host damage are low.
- Sexually transmitted pathogens may evolve higher virulence in populations with greater sexual transmission potential.
- Vector-borne pathogens can be more virulent due to effective transmission from immobilized hosts.
- Durability in the environment increases the threat level of pathogens.
Takeaway
Scientists are trying to figure out how germs become really harmful so they can stop the worst ones before they spread.
Methodology
The study discusses evolutionary principles and their implications for understanding pathogen virulence and transmission.
Limitations
The study relies on theoretical frameworks and lacks empirical data to fully validate the evolutionary arguments presented.
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