Short-sighted evolution and the virulence of pathogenic microorganisms.
For some microorganisms, virulence may be an inadvertent consequence of mutation and selection in the parasite population, occurring within a host during the course of an infection. This type of virulence is short-sighted, in that it engenders no advantage to the pathogen beyond the afflicted host. Bacterial meningitis, poliomyelitis and AIDS are three candidates for this model of the evolution of virulence.
Levin
B R
BR
Dept of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Bull
J J
JJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D009154:Mutation; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence