Nature Communications (Aug 2017)

Pathogenic bacteria enhance dispersal through alteration of Drosophila social communication

  • Ian W. Keesey,
  • Sarah Koerte,
  • Mohammed A. Khallaf,
  • Tom Retzke,
  • Aurélien Guillou,
  • Ewald Grosse-Wilde,
  • Nicolas Buchon,
  • Markus Knaden,
  • Bill S. Hansson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00334-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Behavioral manipulation of host by pathogens has been observed in vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. Here the authors show that in Drosophila, infection with pathogenic bacteria leads to increased pheromone release, which attracts healthy flies. This process benefits the pathogen since it enhances bacterial dispersal, but is detrimental to the host.