Mixed infections and the evolution of virulence: effects of resource competition, parasite plasticity, and impaired host immunity.

Abstract excerpt

Mixed-genotype parasite infections are common in nature. Theoretical studies analyze the effects of such infections over evolutionary time and predict an increase in virulence due to the competitive advantage of virulent parasites. In contrast, experimental studies compare the overall virulence of mixed and single infections within one generation. Although these within-generation comparisons have limited...

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