The shape of the contact-density function matters when modelling parasite transmission in fluctuating populations.

ABSTRACT: Models of disease transmission in a population with changing densities must assume a relation between infectious contacts and density. Typically, a choice is made between a constant (frequency-dependence) and a linear (density-dependence) contact-density function, but it is becoming increasingly clear that intermediate, nonlinear functions are more realistic. It is currently not clear, however, what the exact consequences would be of different contact-density functions in fluctuating populations. By combining field data on rodent host (Mastomys natalensis) demography, experimentally derived contact-density data, and laboratory and field data on Morogoro virus infection dynamics, we explored the effects of different contact-density function shapes on transmission dynamics and invasio

SUBMITTER: Borremans B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5717690 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature