Responding to infection affects more than just the host

Patricia C Lopes

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.018

Responding to infection affects more than just the host

Trends Ecol Evol. 2023 Sep;38(9):799-801. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.018. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Author

Patricia C Lopes¹

Affiliation

¹ Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA. Electronic address: lopes@chapman.edu.

PMID: 37393181
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.018

Abstract

An infection triggers a dramatic suite of changes in host physiology and behavior. While seemingly localized, the host response affects many other organisms, both within and beyond the boundaries of the host's body, with far-reaching ecological implications. Here, I call for more awareness and integration of those potential 'off-host' effects.

Keywords: disease avoidance; disease transmission; inflammation; microbiome; sickness.