Pathogen and Symbiont Population Dynamics

For pathogen and symbiont populations, there are important levels of structure both within and between hosts. We developed models that considered the linkages between these two levels, as well as models that allow consideration of multiple host cell types, and multiple tissue types or body compartments coupled via pathogen movement. These studies extended important concepts from population ecology and evolutionary biology to these types of structured host-pathogen and host-symbiont systems.

publications on this topic:

• Barfield, M., M. E. Orive, and R. D. Holt. (2015) The role of pathogen shedding in linking within- and between-host pathogen dynamics. Mathematical Biosciences 270:249-262, doi:10.1016/j.mbs.2015.04.010
• Orive, M. E., M.N. Stearns, J. K. Kelly, M. Barfield, M.S. Smith and R. D. Holt.  (2005). Viral infection in internally structured hosts. I. Conditions for persistent infection. Journal of Theoretical Biology 232(4):453-466
• Kelly, J. K., S. Williamson, M. E. Orive, M. Smith, and R. D. Holt (2003).  Linking dynamical and population genetic models of persistent viral infection. Am. Natur. 162:14-28.