Modeling Chagas Disease Prevalence in Vector Population Based on Host Species Diversity Using a Deterministic Model

Abstract

• Multihost vector-borne pathogens are transmitted between arthropod vectors and multiple host species. They have a significant impact on human, domestic animal, and wildlife health (e.g. Chagas disease, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease). • The variety of potential hosts with varying reservoir competence complicates transmission. • In many cases, anthropogenic land use change (urbanization, forest fragmentation) is linked to increased transmission of vector-borne multihost pathogens. Proposed mechanisms of increased vector-borne disease transmission include altered host diversity and host community composition. • In theory, host life history may also affect reservoir competence. Host species that ‘live fast and die young’ (r-selected) may drive increased transmission compared to ‘slow-paced’ (k-selected) species because of 1) increased production of susceptible individuals and 2) less investment in acquired immunity.