It is Thought That Attenuation Occurs Especially in a Laboratory

Question

It is thought that attenuation occurs especially in a laboratory setting because
A) nonvirulent or weakly virulent mutants grow faster in laboratory media when there is no selective advantage to virulence.
B) pathogens lose virulence with age and survive longer in laboratory cultures.
C) patients can be treated with drugs that induce attenuation.
D) there is selection for more virulent strains in the laboratory.

Accepted Answer

In a laboratory setting, there may not be the same selective pressures for virulence as in a natural setting, leading to nonvirulent or weakly virulent mutants thriving in laboratory media. This can lead to attenuation.