Multiple host transfers, but only one successful lineage in a continent-spanning emergent pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Emergence of a new disease in a novel host is thought to be a rare outcome following frequent pathogen transfers between host species. However, few opportunities exist to examine whether disease emergence stems from a single successful pathogen transfer, and whether this successful lineage represents only one of several pathogen transfers between hosts. We examined the successful host transfer and subsequent evolution of the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum, an emergent pathogen of house finches (Haemorhous (formerly Carpodacus) mexicanus). Our principal goals were to assess whether host transfer has been a repeated event between the original poultry hosts and house finches, whether only a single host transfer was ultimately responsible for the emergence of M. gallisepticum in t

SUBMITTER: Hochachka WM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3730588 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature