Pathoadaptation of especially dangerous pathogens

Abstract

Gene acquisition by lateral gene transfer is considered to play the main role in the evolution of bacteria, including those that are especially dangerous. However, gene gain alone cannot explain the high virulence potential of especially dangerous pathogens. Negative selection (pathoadaptive mutations) plays an important role in pathogens' evolution. Moreover, point mutations might drastically change the mode of behavior of the pathogen or its host range. All of these mechanisms must be taken into account to understand the emergence and peculiarities of especially dangerous pathogens. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.