Alterations in mosquito behaviour by malaria parasites: potential impact on force of infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A variety of studies have reported that malaria parasites alter the behaviour of mosquitoes. These behavioural alterations likely increase transmission because they reduce the risk of vector death during parasite development and increase biting after parasites become infectious.

Methods

A mathematical model is used to investigate the potential impact of these behavioural alterations on the lifetime number of infectious bites delivered. The model is used to explore the importance of assumptions about the magnitude and distribution of mortality as well as the importance of extrinsic incubation period and gonotrophic cycle length. Additionally, the model is applied to four datasets taken from actual transmission settings.

Results

The impact of behavioural chan

SUBMITTER: Cator LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4113138 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature