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The effect and relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasitism varies across parasite taxa.

ABSTRACT: Understanding factors that determine heterogeneity in levels of parasitism across individuals is a major challenge in disease ecology. It is known that genetic makeup plays an important role in infection likelihood, but the mechanism remains unclear as does its relative importance when compared to other factors. We analyzed relationships between genetic diversity and macroparasites in outbred, free-ranging populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor). We measured heterozygosity at 14 microsatellite loci and modeled the effects of both multi-locus and single-locus heterozygosity on parasitism using an information theoretic approach and including non-genetic factors that are known to influence the likelihood of parasitism. The association of genetic diversity and parasitism, as well as the relative importance of genetic diversity, differed by parasitic group. Endoparasite species richness was better predicted by a model that included genetic diversity, with the more heterozygous hosts harboring fewer endoparasite species. Genetic diversity was also important in predicting abundance of replete ticks (Dermacentor variabilis). This association fit a curvilinear trend, with hosts that had either high or low levels of heterozygosity harboring fewer parasites than those with intermediate levels. In contrast, genetic diversity was not important in predicting abundance of non-replete ticks and lice (Trichodectes octomaculatus). No strong single-locus effects were observed for either endoparasites or replete ticks. Our results suggest that in outbred populations multi-locus diversity might be important for coping with parasitism. The differences in the relationships between heterozygosity and parasitism for the different parasites suggest that the role of genetic diversity varies with parasite-mediated selective pressures.

SUBMITTER: Ruiz-Lopez MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3458861 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The effect and relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasitism varies across parasite taxa.

Ruiz-López María José MJ Monello Ryan J RJ Gompper Matthew E ME Eggert Lori S LS

PloS one 20120926 9

Understanding factors that determine heterogeneity in levels of parasitism across individuals is a major challenge in disease ecology. It is known that genetic makeup plays an important role in infection likelihood, but the mechanism remains unclear as does its relative importance when compared to other factors. We analyzed relationships between genetic diversity and macroparasites in outbred, free-ranging populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor). We measured heterozygosity at 14 microsatellite l ...[more]

PMID: 23049796

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Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the sex-specific course and impact of vascular risk factors on cognitive aging in a rather young and healthy community-dwelling cohort.MethodsWe used data from a population-based cohort study, collected three times during 6 years, comprising 1,911 examinations from 798 participants aged 35-66 years at baseline. Cognitive performance on the Color-Word-Interference-Test, the Trail Making Tests (TMT) A&B, the Word Fluency Test, a 12-item word list, the Purdue Pegboard Test and a principal component global score were used as outcomes in linear mixed models. We evaluated (1) sex differences in cognitive trajectories, (2) the mediating role of hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 30] on sex differences and (3) in sex-stratified analyses, potential sex-specific effects of these risk factors on cognition.ResultsFor all cognitive tests, we observed cognitive decline with age. Rates of decline slightly differed across sexes, showing a later but steeper decline for women in tests of memory (word list) and word fluency, but a steeper decline for men in tests of psychomotor speed and mental set shifting (TMT A&B) in older age. Women generally scored better on cognitive tests, but the slightly higher prevalence of classical vascular risks factors in men in our cohort could not explain these sex differences. Sex-stratified analyses revealed a generally small, concordantly negative, but quantitatively slightly different impact of diabetes, smoking and obesity on cognitive functions but mixed effects for arterial hypertension, depending on the blood pressure values, the treatment status and the duration of arterial hypertension.ConclusionCognitive sex differences in this rather young and healthy cohort could not be explained by a differing prevalence of vascular risks factors across sexes. The association of cardiovascular risk factors with cognition, however, slightly differed between men and women, whereby effects were generally small. Whereas longtime diabetes, obesity and smoking had a sex-specific, but concordantly negative impact on psychomotor speed, executive and motor functions, we found some opposing effects for arterial hypertension. Our results can help to identify sex-specific susceptibilities to modifiable risk factors, to attract attention to potential information bias and to stimulate further research into alternative causes and mechanism of sex differences in cognitive aging.

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The effect and relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasitism varies across parasite taxa.

Publications

The effect and relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasitism varies across parasite taxa.

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