Abstract

Most rnathematical models of malaria infection represent parasites as replicating continuously at a constant rate whereas in reality, malaria parasites replicate at a fixed age. The behaviour of continuous-time models when gametocytogenesis is included, in comparison to a more realistic discrete-time model that incorporates a fixed replication age was evaluated. Both the infection dynamics under gametocytogenesis and implications for predicting the amount parasites Should invest into gametocytes (level of investment favoured by natural selection) are considered. It is shown that the many malaria models with constant replication rates can be represented by just 3 basic types. For these 3 types, it is then shown that under gametocytogenesis (i) in 2 cases, parasite multiplication and gametocyte production is mostly much too low, (ii) in the third, Parasite Multiplication and gametocyte production is mostly much too high, (iii) the effect of gametocyte investment oil parasite multiplication is Mostly too high, (iv) the effect of gametocyte investment on gametocyte production is nearly always too low and (v) with a simple approximation of fitness, the predicted level of gametocyte investment is mostly Much too low. However, 2 Continuous model with 48 age-compartments compares well to the discrete model. These findings are a further argument for modelling malaria infections in discrete time.

Keywords

malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; mathematical models; within-host dynamics; gametocytes; optimal gametocyte investment

Published in

Parasitology
2008, Volume: 135, number: 8, pages: 881-896
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages


UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182008004502

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/19584