A mathematical model for within-host Toxoplasma gondii invasion dynamics

Adam Sullivan; Folashade Agusto; Sharon Bewick; Chunlei Su; Suzanne Lenhart; Xiaopeng Zhao

doi:10.3934/mbe.2012.9.647

Article Contents

2012, Volume 9, Issue 3: 647-662. Doi: 10.3934/mbe.2012.9.647

This issue Previous Article The mathematical analysis of a syntrophic relationship between two microbial species in a chemostat Next Article A minimal mathematical model for the initial molecular interactions of death receptor signalling

A mathematical model for within-host Toxoplasma gondii invasion dynamics

1.
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
2.
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
3.
National Institute of Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
4.
Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
5.
Department of Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-1300

Received: June 30, 2011

Revised: April 30, 2012

Published: June 2012

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Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of intermediate hosts, including all mammals and birds. Up to 20% of the human population in the US and 30% in the world are chronically infected. This paper presents a mathematical model to describe intra-host dynamics of T. gondii infection. The model considers the invasion process, egress kinetics, interconversion between fast-replicating tachyzoite stage and slowly replicating bradyzoite stage, as well as the host's immune response. Analytical and numerical studies of the model can help to understand the influences of various parameters to the transient and steady-state dynamics of the disease infection.

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Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 37N25, 92B05; Secondary: 93A30.

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