Predicting the effects of parasite co-infection across species boundaries.

ABSTRACT: It is normal for hosts to be co-infected by parasites. Interactions among co-infecting species can have profound consequences, including changing parasite transmission dynamics, altering disease severity and confounding attempts at parasite control. Despite the importance of co-infection, there is currently no way to predict how different parasite species may interact with one another, nor the consequences of those interactions. Here, we demonstrate a method that enables such prediction by identifying two nematode parasite groups based on taxonomy and characteristics of the parasitological niche. From an understanding of the interactions between the two defined groups in one host system (wild rabbits), we predict how two different nematode species, from the same defined groups, will intera

SUBMITTER: Lello J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5879626 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature