Parasite-altered host behavior in the face of a predator: manipulation or not?
Parasitologists have generally accepted the idea that parasite-induced alterations in host behavior increase the chance for parasite survival and transmission or ensure the completion of its life cycle. The aim of the present study was to investigate modifications in the behavior of Taenia crassiceps-infected BALB/c mice in the face of a predator. The experiments showed modifications in the response of infected mice in comparison with uninfected controls on exposure to a predator final host. However, different studies lead us to suggest that the observed modifications are likely to be a secondary effect of the impact of the parasite on host physiology and immunity that favors its development and proliferation.
Gourbal
B E
BE
Laboratoire de Parasitologie Fondamentale et Fonctionnelle, IFR 3 CNRS Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Righi
M
M
Petit
G
G
Gabrion
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000469:parasitology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000523:psychology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013621:Taenia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000523:psychology