Protection Generated by Prior Exposure to Pathogens Depends on both Priming and Challenge Dose.

ABSTRACT: Free-living hosts encounter pathogens at a wide range of frequencies and concentrations, including low doses that are largely aclinical, creating a varied landscape of exposure history and reinfection likelihood. While several studies show that higher priming doses result in stronger immunological protection against reinfection, it remains unknown how the reinfection challenge dose and priming dose interact to determine the likelihood and severity of reinfection. We manipulated both priming and challenge doses of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, which causes mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, in captive house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), to assess reinfection probability and severity. We found a significant interaction between priming and challenge doses on reinfection probability, with the likelihoo

SUBMITTER: Weitzman CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8929379 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature