New viruses and new disease: mutation, evolution and ecology.
Given the extraordinarily high mutation rate of viruses, particularly those with RNA genomes, it is not surprising that new viruses are continually evolving. However, the symptomatology of old viral diseases has remained stable for centuries. The combination of genetic and ecological factors that constrain as well as facilitate the emergence of new viruses is analyzed.
Kilbourne
E D
ED
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.
D005814:Genes, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D009154:Mutation; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity