Within-Host Competition Drives Selection for the Capsule Virulence Determinant of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract excerpt

For many opportunistic pathogens, it is unclear why their virulence determinants and expression of pathogenic behavior have evolved when damage or death of their host offers no obvious selective advantage to microbial growth or survival. Many pathogens initiate interactions with their host on mucosal surfaces and must compete with other members of the microflora for the same niche. Here we explore whether...

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