Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Eco-evolutionary virulence of pathogens:models and speculations

Ben Bolker, McMaster UniversityDepartments of Mathematics & Statistics and Biology

IGERT symposium

25 April 2014

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Acknowledgements

People Arjun Nanda and Dharmini Shah; Christophe Fraser;Marm Kilpatrick; Anson Wong

Support NSF IRCEB grant 9977063; QSE3 IGERT; NSERCDiscovery grant

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Host-pathogen evolutionary biology

Why is it interesting?

Intellectual merit

Coevolutionary loopsCryptic e�ectsEco-evolutionary dynamics (Luo and Koelle, 2013)Cool storiesLots of data (sometimes)

Broader applications

MedicalConservation and managementOutreach

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Host-pathogen evolutionary biology

Why is it interesting?

Intellectual merit

Coevolutionary loopsCryptic e�ectsEco-evolutionary dynamics (Luo and Koelle, 2013)Cool storiesLots of data (sometimes)

Broader applications

MedicalConservation and managementOutreach

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Virulence: de�nitions

General public: badness

Plant biologists: infectivity

Evolutionists: loss of host �tness

Theoreticians: rate of host mortality(mortality rate vs. case mortality vs. clearance)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolution of virulence evolution theory

Classical dogma monotonic trend toward avirulence

Ewald era virulence as an evolved (adaptive) trait. Tradeo�theory, modes of transmission.

post-Ewald more formal tradeo� models, mostly based on R0

optimization. Adaptive dynamics

Now tradeo� backlashwithin-host dynamics/multi-level modelseco-evolutionary dynamicshost e�ects: resistance vs tolerance vs virulence

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolution of virulence evolution theory

Classical dogma monotonic trend toward avirulence

Ewald era virulence as an evolved (adaptive) trait. Tradeo�theory, modes of transmission.

post-Ewald more formal tradeo� models, mostly based on R0

optimization. Adaptive dynamics

Now tradeo� backlashwithin-host dynamics/multi-level modelseco-evolutionary dynamicshost e�ects: resistance vs tolerance vs virulence

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolution of virulence evolution theory

Classical dogma monotonic trend toward avirulence

Ewald era virulence as an evolved (adaptive) trait. Tradeo�theory, modes of transmission.

post-Ewald more formal tradeo� models, mostly based on R0

optimization. Adaptive dynamics

Now tradeo� backlashwithin-host dynamics/multi-level modelseco-evolutionary dynamicshost e�ects: resistance vs tolerance vs virulence

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolution of virulence evolution theory

Classical dogma monotonic trend toward avirulence

Ewald era virulence as an evolved (adaptive) trait. Tradeo�theory, modes of transmission.

post-Ewald more formal tradeo� models, mostly based on R0

optimization. Adaptive dynamics

Now tradeo� backlashwithin-host dynamics/multi-level modelseco-evolutionary dynamicshost e�ects: resistance vs tolerance vs virulence

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Basic tradeo� theory: assumptions

Homogeneous, non-evolving hosts

No superinfection/coinfection

Horizontal, direct transmission

Tradeo� between rate of transmissionand length of infectious period

Infectious period ∝ 1/clearance(= recovery+disease-induced mortality+natural mortality)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Tradeo�s, R0, and r

Clearance+disease−induced mort.

Transmissionrate

mu 0 1 2 3 4 5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Tradeo�s, R0, and r

Clearance+disease−induced mort.

Transmissionrate

mu 0 1 2 3 4 5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Tradeo�s, R0, and r

Clearance+disease−induced mort.

Transmissionrate

mu 0 1 2 3 4 5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Epidemiological model

SIR model

Constant population size(birth=death)

Ignore recovery

Rescale: µ = 1, N = 1(time units of host lifespan)

I

S

disease−

mortality(α)induced

mortality(µ)

birth

R

infection (β)

recovery

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Epidemiological model

SIR model

Constant population size(birth=death)

Ignore recovery

Rescale: µ = 1, N = 1(time units of host lifespan)

I

S

disease−

mortality(α)induced

mortality(µ)

birth

R

infection (β)

recovery

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Epidemiological model

SIR model

Constant population size(birth=death)

Ignore recovery

Rescale: µ = 1, N = 1(time units of host lifespan)

I

S

disease−

mortality(α)induced

mortality(µ)

birth

R

infection (β)

recovery

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Epidemiological model

SIR model

Constant population size(birth=death)

Ignore recovery

Rescale: µ = 1, N = 1(time units of host lifespan)

I

S

disease−

mortality(α)induced

mortality(µ)

birth

R

infection (β)

recovery

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

The model (2): evolutionary dynamics

Incorporate trait dynamics

Standard quantitative genetics model (Abrams, 2001):

Fitness depends on mean trait value (α)and ecological context (proportion susceptible)

Constant additive genetic variance Vg

Trait evolves toward increased �tness:rate proportional to ∆�tness/∆trait

Alternatives:multi-strain, adaptive dynamics, PDEs, agent-based models . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

The model (2): evolutionary dynamics

Incorporate trait dynamics

Standard quantitative genetics model (Abrams, 2001):

Fitness depends on mean trait value (α)and ecological context (proportion susceptible)

Constant additive genetic variance Vg

Trait evolves toward increased �tness:rate proportional to ∆�tness/∆trait

Alternatives:multi-strain, adaptive dynamics, PDEs, agent-based models . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

The model (2): evolutionary dynamics

Incorporate trait dynamics

Standard quantitative genetics model (Abrams, 2001):

Fitness depends on mean trait value (α)and ecological context (proportion susceptible)

Constant additive genetic variance Vg

Trait evolves toward increased �tness:rate proportional to ∆�tness/∆trait

Alternatives:multi-strain, adaptive dynamics, PDEs, agent-based models . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

The model (2): evolutionary dynamics

Incorporate trait dynamics

Standard quantitative genetics model (Abrams, 2001):

Fitness depends on mean trait value (α)and ecological context (proportion susceptible)

Constant additive genetic variance Vg

Trait evolves toward increased �tness:rate proportional to ∆�tness/∆trait

Alternatives:multi-strain, adaptive dynamics, PDEs, agent-based models . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

The model (2): evolutionary dynamics

Incorporate trait dynamics

Standard quantitative genetics model (Abrams, 2001):

Fitness depends on mean trait value (α)and ecological context (proportion susceptible)

Constant additive genetic variance Vg

Trait evolves toward increased �tness:rate proportional to ∆�tness/∆trait

Alternatives:multi-strain, adaptive dynamics, PDEs, agent-based models . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolutionary dynamics, cont.

Virulence

Fitn

ess

(w) frac inf=0.1

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Evolutionary dynamics, cont.

Virulence

Fitn

ess

(w) frac inf=0.1

frac inf=0.3

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Power-law tradeo� curves

Virulence

Tran

smis

sion

β(α) = cα1 γ

c = 2, γ = 2

c = 1, γ = 2

c = 1, γ = 3

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

(Why) are emerging pathogens more virulent?

What might explain initially high, but rapidly decreasing, virulenceof emerging pathogens?

Pathogens with low virulence go unnoticed

Hosts less resistant to / tolerant of novel parasites

High transmission → frequent coinfection → selection forvirulence

Disease-induced drop in population density decreases selectionfor virulence (Lenski and May, 1994)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

(Why) are emerging pathogens more virulent?

What might explain initially high, but rapidly decreasing, virulenceof emerging pathogens?

Pathogens with low virulence go unnoticed

Hosts less resistant to / tolerant of novel parasites

High transmission → frequent coinfection → selection forvirulence

Disease-induced drop in population density decreases selectionfor virulence (Lenski and May, 1994)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

(Why) are emerging pathogens more virulent?

What might explain initially high, but rapidly decreasing, virulenceof emerging pathogens?

Pathogens with low virulence go unnoticed

Hosts less resistant to / tolerant of novel parasites

High transmission → frequent coinfection → selection forvirulence

Disease-induced drop in population density decreases selectionfor virulence (Lenski and May, 1994)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

(Why) are emerging pathogens more virulent?

What might explain initially high, but rapidly decreasing, virulenceof emerging pathogens?

Pathogens with low virulence go unnoticed

Hosts less resistant to / tolerant of novel parasites

High transmission → frequent coinfection → selection forvirulence

Disease-induced drop in population density decreases selectionfor virulence (Lenski and May, 1994)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Transient virulence

Selection di�ers between the epidemic and endemic phases of anoutbreak (Frank, 1996; Day and Proulx, 2004)

endemic phase selection for per-generation o�spring production:maximize R0, βN/(α + µ)

epidemic phase selection for per-unit-time o�spring production:maximize r , βN − (α + µ)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Transient virulence

Selection di�ers between the epidemic and endemic phases of anoutbreak (Frank, 1996; Day and Proulx, 2004)

endemic phase selection for per-generation o�spring production:maximize R0, βN/(α + µ)

epidemic phase selection for per-unit-time o�spring production:maximize r , βN − (α + µ)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Transient virulence

Selection di�ers between the epidemic and endemic phases of anoutbreak (Frank, 1996; Day and Proulx, 2004)

endemic phase selection for per-generation o�spring production:maximize R0, βN/(α + µ)

epidemic phase selection for per-unit-time o�spring production:maximize r , βN − (α + µ)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Transient emerging virulence

When a parasite previously in eco-evolutionary equilibriumemerges in a new host population (at low density) it will showa transient peak in virulence as it spreads

How big is the peak? Does it matter?

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Model parameters

Parameter

c Transmissionscale

γ Transmissioncurvature

I (0) Initialepidemic size

Vg Genetic variance

Alternative

R∗0 Equilibrium R0

α∗ Equilibriumvirulence

1/N0 Inversepopulation size

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Example

Time

Fra

ctio

n in

fect

ive

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0 10 20 30

Vg = 5, c = 3, I(0) = 0.001, γ = 2

(R0* = 1.5, α* = 1, N = 1000)

1.01.21.41.61.82.0

α

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Response variables

Time

peaktime

peak height(α)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Peak height

Equilibrium transmission (R0*)

Equ

ilibr

ium

viru

lenc

e (α

* )

1

10

100

1000

1.1 2 5 10 50

1.025

I(0) = 10−2

CV

g=

0.1

1.0251.05

I(0) = 10−3

CV

g=

0.1

1.1 2 5 10 50

1.05

1.075

I(0) = 10−4

CV

g=

0.1

1.5

I(0) = 10−2

CV

g=

0.5

1.5

2.0

I(0) = 10−3

CV

g=

0.5

1

10

100

1000

1.5

2.0 I(0) = 10−4

CV

g=

0.51

10

100

1000

1.5

2.02.5

3.0

I(0) = 10−2 C

Vg

=1

1.1 2 5 10 50

1.52.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

I(0) = 10−3

CV

g=

1

1.52.02.5

3.03.5

4.0

I(0) = 10−4

CV

g=

11.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Estimates for emerging pathogens

Order of magnitude estimates for some emerging high-virulencepathogens:

Pathogen R∗0

α∗ Reference

SARS 3 640 Anderson et al. (2004)HIV 1.43 6.36 Velasco-Hernandez et al. (2002)

West Nile 1.61�3.24 639 Wonham et al. (2004)myxomatosis 3 5 Dwyer et al. (1990)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Emerging pathogens: where are we?

CVg = 0.5, I (0) = 10−3 (middle panel):

R0

Equ

ilibr

ium

viru

lenc

e (α

* )

1

10

100

1000

1.1 2 5 10 50

1.5

2.0

SARS

HIV

WNV

MYXO

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Overview

Mosquito-borne viral disease of rabbits

Benign in South American rabbits,quickly fatal in European rabbits

Well characterized (Fenner et al., 1956; Dwyer et al., 1990)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxomatosis tradeo� curve

Scaled virulence

Tota

l tra

nsm

issi

on

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

eq epi

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Estimating evolvability (Vg)

Key parameter: genetic variance in virulence (evolvability)

Despite case studies of rapid pathogen evolution:

myxomatosis (Dwyer et al., 1990)syphilis (Knell, 2004)serial passage experiments (Ebert, 1998)Plasmodium chabaudi (Mackinnon and Read, 1999a)

we rarely have enough information to estimate Vg

Only (?) for myxomatosis do we know the variation invirulence among circulating strains

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Estimating evolvability (Vg)

Key parameter: genetic variance in virulence (evolvability)

Despite case studies of rapid pathogen evolution:

myxomatosis (Dwyer et al., 1990)syphilis (Knell, 2004)serial passage experiments (Ebert, 1998)Plasmodium chabaudi (Mackinnon and Read, 1999a)

we rarely have enough information to estimate Vg

Only (?) for myxomatosis do we know the variation invirulence among circulating strains

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Estimating evolvability (Vg)

Key parameter: genetic variance in virulence (evolvability)

Despite case studies of rapid pathogen evolution:

myxomatosis (Dwyer et al., 1990)syphilis (Knell, 2004)serial passage experiments (Ebert, 1998)Plasmodium chabaudi (Mackinnon and Read, 1999a)

we rarely have enough information to estimate Vg

Only (?) for myxomatosis do we know the variation invirulence among circulating strains

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxomatosis grades vs. time

1950 1954 1956 1961 1965 1968 1972 1978

Proportion

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0Virulence grade

I II III IV V

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxomatosis variance vs. time

Date

Gen

etic

var

ianc

e (V

g)

0

10

20

30

40

1950 1960 1970

Vg= 10Vg= 2.5

Vg= 40

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxomatosis virulence dynamics: power-law tradeo�

Date

Sca

led

viru

lenc

e

0

5

10

15

20

25

1950 1960 1970

h=2.5

h=10

h=40

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxomatosis virulence dynamics: realistic tradeo�

Date

Sca

led

viru

lenc

e

0

5

10

15

20

25

1950 1960 1970

h=40

h=10h=2.5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxo virulence: equilibrium start, power-law tradeo�

Date

Sca

led

viru

lenc

e

0

5

10

15

1950 1955

h=40h=10h=2.5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Myxo virulence: equilibrium start, realistic tradeo�

Date

Sca

led

viru

lenc

e

0

5

10

15

1950 1955

h=40h=10h=2.5

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Seasonality

Many pathogens �uctuate annually

Host contact/aggregation patternsHost (or vector) demographyClimatic e�ects on transmissibility

Fluctuating incidence = �uctuating selection

Seasonal variation or latitudinal variation?

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Toy model

Basic Ross-MacDonaldvector-host model

Simple vector (mosquito)demography

No host demography

Two pathogen strains

I disease−

mortality(α)induced

S

I

infection (β)

recovery

S

R

host vector

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Case I: r1 > r2, equal R0

0.000

0.025

0.050

0.075

0 25 50 75 100 125time

dens

ity

variable

I1

I2

0.0

0.2

0.4

0 25 50 75 100 125time

frac

tion

of s

trai

n 1

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Case II: R0,1 > R0,2, equal r

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0 25 50 75 100 125time

dens

ity

variable

I1

I2

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 25 50 75 100 125time

frac

tion

of s

trai

n 1

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Case III: R0,1 > R0,2, r2 > r1

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0 25 50 75 100 125time

dens

ity

variable

I1

I2

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 25 50 75 100 125time

frac

tion

of s

trai

n 1

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Titer vs infectiousness

● ● ●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

4 6 8titer

Tran

smis

sion

pro

babi

lity

source

●

●

●

●

Dohm

Tiawsirisup_2005_VBZD

Turell_altjmh

Turell_JME

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Titer curves (American crows)

1e−04

1e−02

1e+00

2 4 6 8day

tran

smis

sion

pro

babi

lity

strain

BIRD1153

KEN

KENsub

NY99

P991

P991sub

TM171−03−pp5

TM173−03−pp1

TWN301

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Transmission vs clearance for WNV

BIRD1153BIRD1461

NY99

TM171−03−pp5BIRD1153KEN

KENsub

NY99P991

TM171−03−pp5

TWN301

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00Clearance rate (1/infectious period)

Ave

rage

tran

smis

sion

rat

e

species

aa

sparrow

amcrow

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Estimating tradeo� curves

Usually assume a tradeo� between virulence and transmission

Positive correlation virulence and transmissibility (or proxies)known from many systems (Lipsitch and Moxon, 1997)

the shape of tradeo� curves is largely unknown

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Malaria (Mackinnon and Read, 1999b; Paul et al., 2004)

●

●●●

0 500 1000 1500

0

20

40

60

80

100

Scaled virulence

% m

osqu

itoes

infe

cted

Plasmodium gallinaceum

●

low−dose mixedhigh−dose mixedSLThai

●

●

●

●

●●

●

●

10 15 20 25

10

15

20

25

Maximum parasitemia

Ove

rall

infe

ctio

n (%

)

Plasmodium chabaudi

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Pasteuria ramosa (Jensen et al., 2006)

●●●●●

●

●

●

●●

●

●

●

●●●

●●

●

●

●

●

●

●●●●

●

●●

●

0 1 2 3 4 50.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

Scaled virulence

Spo

res/

day

(×10

6 )

●●●●●

●

●

●

●●

●

●

●

●●●

●●

●

●

●

●

●

●●●●

●

●●

●

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

HIV (Fraser et al., 2007)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

Scaled virulence

Tran

smis

sion

rat

e

eq epi

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

HIV dynamics (Shirre� et al., 2011)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Phage dynamics (Berngruber et al., 2013)

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

What about space?

Theory: spatial structureshould select for decreasedvirulence

Experiment: viscositydecreases infectivity inPlodia (Boots and Mealor,2007)

Are we ready for space?

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Outline

1 OverviewThe evolution of host-pathogen theoryToy models

2 Transient virulence and emerging diseasesOverviewToy modelMyxomatosis data

3 Transient virulence and seasonalityOverviewToy modelWNV data

4 More on theory vs. dataTradeo� curvesConclusions

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Conclusions

Eco-evolutionary dynamics of virulence are still plausible(Alizon et al., 2009; Luo and Koelle, 2013)

Sensitive to genetic variance and shape of tradeo� curve

Theory meets molecular biology:mutations of large e�ect vs. quantitative variability

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Conclusions

Eco-evolutionary dynamics of virulence are still plausible(Alizon et al., 2009; Luo and Koelle, 2013)

Sensitive to genetic variance and shape of tradeo� curve

Theory meets molecular biology:mutations of large e�ect vs. quantitative variability

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

Crome (1997) on theory

When we regard theories as tight, real entities and devote

ourselves to their analysis, we can limit our horizons and,

worse, attempt to make the world �t them. A lot of

ecological discussion is not about nature, but about

theories, generalizations, or models supposed to represent

nature . . .

Overview Emerging disease Seasonal disease Theory vs. data References

References

Abrams, P.A., 2001. Ecol Lett, 4:166�175.

Alizon, S., Hurford, A., et al., 2009. J. Evol. Biol., 22:245�259.doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01658.x.

Anderson, R.M., Fraser, C., et al., 2004. Phil Trans R Soc London B, 359(1447):1091�1105.

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