Virulence and transmissibility of pathogens: what is the relationship?
The fitness of most pathogenic microorganisms depends on transmission from host to host. This requires adaptation for dissemination, translocation and survival between hosts, as well as for colonization. A complex relationship exists between these components of microbial fitness and virulence. Understanding this relationship has important implications for research and public health.
Lipsitch
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Dept of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. lipsitch@biology. emory.edu
Moxon
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D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000635:transmission*; D010271:Parasites / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014774:Virulence; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D014780:Viruses / Q000472:pathogenicity*