Heterogeneity in schistosomiasis transmission dynamics. (7th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mari, Lorenzo; Ciddio, Manuela; Casagrandi, Renato; Perez-Saez, Javier; Bertuzzo, Enrico; Rinaldo, Andrea; Sokolow, Susanne H.; De Leo, Giulio A.; Gatto, Marino
• Is Part Of: Journal of theoretical biology. Volume 432(2017)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2017-11-07
• Subjects: Heterogeneous transmission -- Schistosomiasis -- Macroparasitic model -- Disease control; Biology -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Périodiques; Theoretische biologie; Biology; Periodicals; 571.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.08.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5193

Abstract

Highlights: Transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis presents multiple heterogeneity sources. A comprehensive framework for heterogeneous disease transmission is proposed. Heterogeneous multigroup communities can be more prone to parasite transmission. Presence of multiple water sources can hinder parasite transmission. Spatial and temporal heterogeneities can have nontrivial implications for endemicity. Abstract: Simple models of disease propagation often disregard the effects of transmission heterogeneity on the ecological and epidemiological dynamics associated with host-parasite interactions. However, for some diseases like schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic infection caused by Schistosoma worms, accounting for heterogeneity is crucial to both characterize long-term dynamics and evaluate opportunities for disease control. Elaborating on the classic Macdonald model for macroparasite transmission, we analyze families of models including explicit descriptions of heterogeneity related to differential transmission risk within a community, water contact patterns, the distribution of the snail host population, human mobility, and the seasonal fluctuations of the environment. Through simple numerical examples, we show that heterogeneous multigroup communities may be more prone to schistosomiasis than homogeneous ones, that the availability of multiple water sources can hinder parasite transmission, and that both spatial and temporal heterogeneities may have nontrivial implications for disease endemicity. Finally, we discuss the implications of heterogeneity for disease control. Although focused on schistosomiasis, results from this study may apply as well to other parasitic infections with complex transmission cycles, such as cysticercosis, dracunculiasis and fasciolosis.