LSTM Home > LSTM Research > LSTM Online Archive

Can mutation and selection explain virulence in human P-falciparum infections?

Tools

Hastings, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-742X, Paget-McNicol, S. and Saul, A. (2004) 'Can mutation and selection explain virulence in human P-falciparum infections?'. Malaria Journal, Vol 3, Issue 2.

Preview

Text
Can_mutation_and_selection_explain_virulence_in_human_P_falciparum_infections.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (918kB)

Official URL: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/3/1/2

Abstract

Background: Parasites incur periodic mutations which must ultimately be eliminated to maintain their genetic integrity.
Methods: It is hypothesised that these mutations are eliminated not by the conventional mechanisms of competition between parasites in different hosts but primarily by competition between parasites within the same infection.
Results: This process is enhanced by the production of a large number of parasites within individual infections, and this may significantly contribute to parasitic virulence.
Conclusions: Several features of the most virulent human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can usefully be re-interpreted in this light and lend support to this interpretation. More generally, it constitutes a novel explanation for the evolution of virulence in a wider range of microparasites.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	escherichia-coli antibiotic-resistance antigenic variation malaria parasites adaptation erythrocytes evolution
Subjects:	QU Biochemistry > Genetics > QU 475 Genetic processes QW Microbiology and Immunology > QW 51 Morphology and variability of microorganisms. Microbial genetics. QX Parasitology > Protozoa > QX 135 Plasmodia
Faculty: Department:	Groups (2002 - 2012) > Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-3-2
Depositing User:	Sarah Lewis-Newton
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2012 15:44
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2019 11:29
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/2200

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item