Epizootics of Salmonella infection in poultry may be the result of modern selective breeding practices.
This paper discusses the hypothesis that a major factor in the epizootics of Salmonella infection in poultry is a declining host genetic diversity. A computer model is described which is based on models that have been previously used to investigate host-pathogen coevolution in cereal crops. It is shown that, as host genetic diversity declines, parasite diversity also declines to a lower equilibrium level. With a highly diverse host, parasite numbers decline to zero. With a homogeneous host population, after an initial decline, there is a rapid increase in parasite numbers, due to the selection of a particularly well adapted parasite strain. This simple computer simulation is used as the basis for a discussion of the literature supporting the suggestion that a major factor in the epizootic of Salmonella in poultry is related to the low genetic diversity of commercial poultry flocks.
Hunter
P R
PR
Public Health Laboratory, Countess of Chester Hospital, United Kingdom.
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods*; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012475:Salmonella / Q000235:genetics; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics