Document Detail


Trypanosomes, fleas and field voles: ecological dynamics of a host-vector--parasite interaction.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16178357     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
To investigate the prevalence of a flea-borne protozoan (Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) microti) in its field vole (Microtus agrestis) host, we monitored over a 2-year period a range of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters pertaining to host demographics, infection status and vector (flea) prevalence. Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling was used to analyse patterns of both flea and trypanosome occurrence. Overall, males of all sizes and ages were more likely to be infested with fleas than their female counterparts. Flea prevalence also showed direct density dependence during the winter, but patterns of density dependence varied amongst body mass (age) classes during the summer. Trypanosome prevalence did not vary between the sexes but was positively related to past flea prevalence with a lag of 3 months, with the highest levels occurring during the autumn season. A convex age-prevalence distribution was observed, suggesting that individuals develop a degree of immunity to trypanosome infection with age and exposure. An interaction between age and whether the individual was new or recaptured suggested that infected animals are less likely to become territory holders than their uninfected counterparts.
Authors:
A Smith; S Telfer; S Burthe; M Bennett; M Begon
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Parasitology     Volume:  131     ISSN:  0031-1820     ISO Abbreviation:  Parasitology     Publication Date:  2005 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-09-23     Completed Date:  2005-10-28     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0401121     Medline TA:  Parasitology     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  355-65     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Population Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. asmithx@liverpool.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Arvicolinae / parasitology*
Ecosystem
Fleas / parasitology*,  physiology*
Insect Vectors / parasitology*,  physiology*
Population Dynamics
Seasons
Trypanosoma / physiology*
Trypanosomiasis / blood

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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