Print PageThis work addresses the role of population dynamics in the genetic structuring of parasite communities. Mathematical models of disease transmission generally do not acknowledge population genetics, and do not incorporate related aspects of partial immunity and superinfection. We now understand that transmission systems may be composed of many antigenically distinct parasite genomes defined by distinct repertoires of genes, and hosts have been found to be infected with multiple genetically distinct genomes that can recombine to create new diversity. An example of this is found in P. falciparum. An agent-based model is presented that simulates a population of hosts with multiple infecting parasite haplotypes simultaneously circulating in the host population, while freely recombining.
Results/Conclusions
This framework extends the earlier ‘Strain Theory’ by addressing parasite diversity from the perspective of the diverse var gene family, while specifically incorporating variations in levels of specific (and cross) immunity in the host population. A major result is the emergence of a family of communities that are composed of partiality overlapping repertoires. Relying on evidence that shows associations between antigenic types and virulence factors, we address the role of non-neutral traits in the structuring of parasite repertoires. The implications of such structure for epidemiological dynamics are also discussed.
