Lyme Pathogen Transmission in Tick Populations With Multiple Host Species

Abstract

The vectors of Lyme disease can feed on a wide range of host species with variable reservoir competence, and the transmission dynamics of Lyme pathogen is also influenced by seasonal temperature. Here we summarize some recent results based on a stage-structured time-periodic deterministic model integrating seasonal tick development and activity, multiple host species and complex transmission routes between ticks and hosts. Of particular focus is on qualitative conditions for successful tick invasion and disease persistence, numerical simulations on the impact of climate warming on the pathogen transmission dynamics, and analysis how host diversity will dilute or amplify the Lyme disease risk to public health.