A simple model for the within-host dynamics of a protozoan parasite.

ABSTRACT: The dynamics of parasite-host systems can be complicated if the parasite life cycle contains an obligatory environmental stage and if the hosts' immunity increases upon re-infection. The dynamics then greatly depend on the relation between infection history and parasite uptake and excretion of individual hosts. In an effort to better understand such systems, we study Eimeria spp. in chickens as our model. In this paper we take a first step and study the within-host dynamics of Eimeria spp. transmitted through oocysts in the environment, with a mathematical model for the parasite life cycle in discrete time, interacting with a single variable describing the immune response. The model can explain various types of oocyst input-output behaviour as described in previous experiments, in particul

SUBMITTER: Klinkenberg D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1564076 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature