Togetherness among Schistosomes: its effects on the dynamics of the infection

摘要: Abstract This paper deals with the overall transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis, and other similar helminthic infections, in which parasitic worms have a sexual stage primary (human) host. Most previous studies assumed to be independently randomly distributed among hosts; we explore effects various kinds aggregation worm distribution, their implications for medically interesting quantities such as prevalence worms, pairs, mean egg output per The upon are discussed, particular regard “threshold” “breakpoint” phenomena. It is shown that analysis can extended, simply but generally, include latent period before infected snails become infective. presentation monogamous mating system, opposite extreme promiscuous also treated (in Appendix C). Although mainly concerned these new results, attempts limited amount review synthesis. includes: relationships earlier models; threshold's dependence on parameters (man-to-snail versus snail-to-man), arbitrary aggregation; relation between Rosenfield's [30] empirical work more abstract models.