Use of Exposure History to Identify Patterns of Immunity to Pneumonia in Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)

摘要: Individual host immune responses to infectious agents drive epidemic behavior and are therefore central understanding controlling diseases. However, important features of individual responses, such as the strength longevity immunity, can be challenging characterize, particularly if they cannot replicated or controlled in captive environments. Our research on bighorn sheep pneumonia elucidates how respond infection with pathogens by examining relationship between exposure history survival situ. Pneumonia is a poorly understood disease that has impeded recovery (Ovis canadensis) following their widespread extirpation 1900s. We analyzed effects pneumonia-exposure 388 radio-collared adults 753 ewe-lamb pairs. Results from Cox proportional hazards models suggested surviving ewes develop protective immunity after exposure, but previous does not protect lambs during outbreaks. Paradoxically, multiple exposures were associated diminished offspring Although there was support for waning boosting ewes, consistent immunizing similarly supported. Translocated animals had previously been exposed more likely die than residents. These results suggest lead aging populations limited recruitment. Recovery unlikely enhanced translocating naive healthy into near infected pathogens.