Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: This model is described in the article: Abstract: Models for the diversity and evolution of pathogens have branched into two main directions: the adaptive dynamics of quantitative life-history traits (notably virulence) and the maintenance and invasion of multiple, antigenically diverse strains that interact with the host's immune memory. In a first attempt to reconcile these two approaches, we developed a simple modelling framework where two strains of pathogens, defined by a pair of life-history traits (infectious period and infectivity), interfere through a given level of cross-immunity. We used whooping cough as a potential example, but the framework proposed here could be applied to other acute infectious diseases. Specifically, we analysed the effects of these parameters on the invasion dynamics of one strain into a population, where the second strain is endemic. Whereas the deterministic version of the model converges towards stable coexistence of the two strains in most cases, stochastic simulations showed that transient epidemic dynamics can cause the extinction of either strain. Thus ecological dynamics, modulated by the immune parameters, eventually determine the adaptive value of different pathogen genotypes. We advocate an integrative view of pathogen dynamics at the crossroads of immunology, epidemiology and evolution, as a way towards efficient control of infectious diseases. This version of the model can be used for both the stochastic and the deterministic simulations described in the article. For deterministic interpretations with infinite population sizes, set the population size N = 1. The model reproduces the deterministic time courses. Stochastic interpretation with Copasi UI gave results similar to the article, but was not extensively tested. The initial conditions for competition simulations can be derived by equilibrating the system for one pathogen and then adding a starting concentration for the other. Originally created by libAntimony v1.3 (using libSBML 4.1.0-b1) This model is hosted on BioModels Database and identified by: BIOMD0000000249. To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published quantitative kinetic models. To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain Dedication for more information.
ORGANISM(S): Bordetella pertussis
SUBMITTER: Lucian Smith
PROVIDER: MODEL1003290000 | biostudies-other |
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): 16615206
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

Nature 19790801 5722
In the first part of this two-part article (Nature 280, 361--367), mathematical models of directly transmitted microparasitic infections were developed, taking explicit account of the dynamics of the host population. The discussion is now extended to both microparasites (viruses, bacteria and protozoa) and macroparasites (helminths and arthropods), transmitted either directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate hosts. Consideration is given to the relation between the ecology and evolutio ...[more]