Complex ecological dynamics and eradicability of the vector borne macroparasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The current global efforts to control the morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases affecting developing countries--such as HIV/AIDS, polio, tuberculosis, malaria and the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)-have led to an increasing focus on the biological controllability or eradicability of disease transmission by management action. Here, we use an age-structured dynamical model of lymphatic filariasis transmission to show how a quantitative understanding of the dynamic processes underlying infection persistence and extinction is key to evaluating the eradicability of this macroparasitic disease.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated the persistence and extinction dynamics of lymphatic filariasis by undertaking a numerical equilibrium analysis

SUBMITTER: Gambhir M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2518518 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature