cystiSim - an agent-based model for Taenia solium transmission and control

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference abstract for conferenceResearchpeer-review

  • Uffe Christian Braae
  • Brecht Devleesschauwer
  • Sarah Gabriël
  • Pierre Dorny
  • Niko Speybroeck
  • Magnussen, Pascal
  • Maria Vang Johansen
Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis was declared eradicable by the International Task Force for Disease Eradication in 1993, but remains a neglected zoonosis due to limited information about its transmission and validation of intervention tools. To address this gap, we developed cystiSim, an agent-based model for T. solium transmission and control. The model was developed in R and is publicly available as an R package (https://github.com/brechtdv/cystiSim/). The model description adheres to the Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) protocol. The model consists of two entities: pigs and humans. Pigs acquire cysticercosis through the environment or by direct contact with a tapeworm carrier's faeces, leading to light or high infection intensities, respectively. Humans acquire taeniosis from slaughtered pigs proportional to their infection intensity. The model allows evaluation of three interventions measures or combinations hereof: human mass drug administration (MDA), pig MDA, and pig vaccination. From the modelled simulations, cystiSim suggests that the combination of pig MDA and vaccination may have promising results. However, pig MDA as a standalone tool also provides a significant effect in reduction of T. solium prevalence. Human MDA is the least effective intervention measure. In comparison with an existing mathematical model for T. solium transmission, cystiSim also includes parasite maturation, host immunity, and environmental contamination. Adding these key biological parameters to the model resulted in new insights in the potential effect of intervention measures.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date3 Nov 2015
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2015
Event1st CYSTINET International Conference - Palace Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia
Duration: 3 Nov 20154 Nov 2015

Conference

Conference1st CYSTINET International Conference
LocationPalace Hotel
CountrySerbia
CityBelgrade
Period03/11/201504/11/2015

ID: 147496971