Short-sighted virus evolution and a germline hypothesis for chronic viral infections.
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Lythgoe, KA
Gardner, A
Pybus, OG
Grove, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
With extremely short generation times and high mutability, many viruses can rapidly evolve and adapt to changing environments. This ability is generally beneficial to viruses as it allows them to evade host immune responses, evolve new behaviours, and exploit ecological niches. However, natural selection typically generates adaptation in response to the immediate selection pressures that a virus experiences in its current host. Consequently, we argue that some viruses, particularly those characterised by long durations of infection and ongoing replication, may be susceptible to short-sighted evolution, whereby a virus' adaptation to its current host will be detrimental to its onward transmission within the host population. Here we outline the concept of short-sighted viral evolution and provide examples of how it may negatively impact viral transmission among hosts. We also propose that viruses that are vulnerable to short-sighted evolution may exhibit strategies that minimise its effects. We speculate on the various mechanisms by which this may be achieved, including viral life history strategies that result in low rates of within-host evolution, or the establishment of a 'germline' lineage of viruses that avoids short-sighted evolution. These concepts provide a new perspective on the way in which some viruses have been able to establish and maintain global pandemics.
Date Issued
2017-04-01
Date Acceptance
2017-03-03
Citation
Trends in Microbiology, 2017, 25 (5), pp.336-348
ISSN
0966-842X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
336
End Page
348
Journal / Book Title
Trends in Microbiology
Volume
25
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Subjects
evolution
transmission
virus
Chronic Disease
Evolution, Molecular
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Mutation Rate
Virus Diseases
Viruses
Publication Status
Published