TitleInteractions between macroparasites and microparasites drive infection patterns in free-ranging African buffalo.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsJolles, AE, Ezenwa, VO, Etienne, RS, Turner, WC, Olff, H
JournalEcology
Volume89
Issue8
Pagination2239-50
Date Published2008 Aug
ISSN0012-9658
KeywordsAging, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Buffaloes, Ectoparasitic Infestations, Feces, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Helminthiasis, Animal, Models, Biological, Parasite Egg Count, Prevalence, Regression Analysis, Tuberculosis
Abstract

Epidemiological studies typically focus on single-parasite systems, although most hosts harbor multiple parasite species; thus, the potential impacts of co-infection on disease dynamics are only beginning to be recognized. Interactions between macroparasites, such as gastrointestinal nematodes, and microparasites causing diseases like TB, AIDS, and malaria are particularly interesting because co-infection may favor transmission and progression of these important diseases. Here we present evidence for strong interactions between gastrointestinal worms and bovine tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). TB and worms are negatively associated at the population, among-herd, and within-herd scales, and this association is not solely the result of demographic heterogeneities in infection. Combining data from 1362 buffalo with simple mechanistic models, we find that both accelerated mortality of co-infected individuals and TB transmission heterogeneity caused by trade-offs in immunity to the two types of parasites likely contribute to observed infection patterns. This study is one of the first to examine the relevance of within-host immunological trade-offs for understanding parasite distribution patterns in natural populations.

DOI10.1890/07-0995.1
Alternate JournalEcology
PubMed ID18724734