Simulations of enhanced malaria transmission and host bias induced by modified vector blood location behaviour

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Abstract
Summary: Monte Carlo simulations were developed to assess the potential impact of parasite pathology on vector salivary function as well as of host haemostasis on transmission. Assuming that a proportion of desisting vectors switch host following failure to locate blood, we demonstrate three possible consequences: (1) infected vectors contact more hosts than non-infected hosts, (2) non-infected vectors are biased to infected hosts, independently of attraction, and (3) an exponential relationship exists between parasite load and transmission. We discuss possible epidemiological implications.

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