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Comment
. 2023 Sep 8;21(9):e3002286.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002286. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Predicting the virulence of future emerging zoonotic viruses

Samuel Alizon  1
Affiliations
Comment

Predicting the virulence of future emerging zoonotic viruses

Samuel Alizon. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

Would you rather kiss a platypus, a hedgehog, or a llama? According to a new study in this issue of PLOS Biology, the virulence of a zoonotic virus in humans depends on its reservoir host. Could physiology be the key to anticipating viral threats lethality?

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Zoonotic viruses are assumed to be adapted to their reservoir host.
Brook and colleagues also assume that this adaptation shapes the growth rate of the virus and, hence, the within-host dynamics in humans. The lethality, or infection virulence incurred by the human host, is further shaped by the phylogenetic distance between the reservoir host and humans.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

References

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