Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 17-29 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 21 have been shown to enhance the adhesion properties of Vibrio parahaemolyticus to plastic surfaces, emphasizing the role of pollution in the spread of this pathogenic bacterium (Billaud et al., 2022). Moreover, pollution can compromise the immunity of marine organisms, making them more susceptible to infections. For example, pollution and terrestrial pathogens have been implicated in increased disease incidence in marine mammals and other taxa (Lafferty et al., 2004). The combined effects of climate change, pollution, and other anthropogenic factors create a complex interplay that drives the emergence and spread of marine diseases (Bidegain et al., 2016). Environmental factors such as water temperature, salinity, pH, nutrient availability, and pollution significantly influence the pathogenicity of marine pathogens. Understanding these factors is crucial for predicting and managing disease outbreaks in marine ecosystems. 5 Outbreak Dynamics 5.1 Transmission pathways Marine pathogens exhibit diverse transmission pathways, significantly influencing outbreak dynamics. Waterborne transmission is a predominant route (Figure 2), where pathogens are disseminated through the water column, affecting both direct contact and filter-feeding organisms (Tien and Earn, 2010; Bidegain et al., 2016). For instance, infected individuals can shed pathogens into the water, leading to new infections through exposure to contaminated water (Tien and Earn, 2010). Additionally, scavengers and filter feeders play crucial roles in either inhibiting or facilitating the spread of pathogens, depending on their interactions with the infected hosts and the environment (Bidegain et al., 2016). The complexity of these pathways necessitates comprehensive models to predict and manage disease spread effectively. Figure 2 Habitat map and mean pathogen spread times around the Caribbean (Adopted from Kough et al., 2015) Image caption: Colour is used to identify locations on the map and links the position of the habitat on the x-axis in the panels (b and c) of the mean pathogen spread time to a spatial location (a) (Adopted from Kough et al., 2015)
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