Key evolutionary concepts:

1. mode of transmission of a parasite or pathogen can affect the evolution of virulence.

2. public health efforts and hospital characteristics have the capacity to influence the evolution of virulence traits. 

Vector-borne diseases and virulence

Hospital Acquired Infections – are medical workers vectors of disease?

Do pathogens evolve toward commensalism?

Readings:

1. Epidemiology meets Evolutionary Ecology Galvani 2003

2. Evolution of virulence. Ewald PW. 2004. Infect Dis Clin N Am (18) 1-15.

3.  Ewald Interview

4. Ewald_Oswaldo_Cruz

Writing project (due next week)

Some illnesses make you feel bad, but you are not bed-bound, and you might still feel well enough to go to school and work. This is true for most upper respiratory infections (colds) caused by rhinoviruses.  Is it adaptive for the  rhinovirus to have low virulence (low degree of harm to the host)? Why or why not?

Lecture Preview is here

For Discussion:

Why do “hospital-acquired” infections get different antibiotics than “community acquired” infections. Which are generally worse and why?

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Joe Alcock

Emergency Physician, Educator, Researcher, interested in the microbiome, evolution, and medicine