Host condition and individual risk of cowpox virus infection in natural animal populations: cause or effect?

• Autores: Beldomenico, Pablo Martín; Telfer, S.; Lukomski, L.; Gebert, S.; Bennett, M.; Begon, M.
• Año de publicación: 2009
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: COWPOX; SUSCEPTIBILITY; DISEASE ECOLOGY
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Recent studies have provided evidence that endemic pathogens may affect dynamics in animals. However, such studies have not typically considered that infected individuals might have a preceding underlying poor condition. We examined whether individuals in poor condition are more likely to become infected by an endemic pathogen, using as a system the dynamics of cowpox virus in field voles. With data from monthly sampled vole populations, a nested case-control study evaluated whether susceptible individuals with poorer condition had higher probabilities of contracting cowpox. The influence of condition was found to be considerable, especially for males. At times when a susceptible male with good body condition had a relatively low probability of becoming infected, a susceptible male with poor body condition was twice as likely to contract cowpox; if this male was also anaemic, the chances were almost quadrupled. We discuss the care needed when interpreting the findings of wildlife disease studies.
Fil: Beldomenico, Pablo Martín. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina
Fil: Telfer, S.. University of Liverpool; Reino Unido
Fil: Lukomski, L.. University of Liverpool; Reino Unido
Fil: Gebert, S.. University of Liverpool; Reino Unido
Fil: Bennett, M.. University of Liverpool; Reino Unido
Fil: Begon, M.. University of Liverpool; Reino Unido