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A Mathematical Model of Chlamydial Infection Incorporating Movement of Chlamydial Particles

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Abstract

We present a spatiotemporal mathematical model of chlamydial infection, host immune response, and movement of infectious particles. The resulting partial differential equations model both the dynamics of the infection and changes in infection profile observed spatially along the length of the host genital tract. This model advances previous Chlamydia modelling by incorporating spatial change. Numerical solutions and model analysis are carried out, and we present a hypothesis regarding the potential for treatment and prevention of infection by increasing chlamydial particle motility.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Scott McCue and Professor Graeme Pettet for useful discussions regarding the stability analysis of the model.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematical Sciences School, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld, 4001, Australia

    Dann G. Mallet & A. Charisse Farr

  2. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld, 4001, Australia

    Dann G. Mallet

  3. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Centre, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA

    Masoumeh Bagher-Oskouei

  4. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Daniel P. Simpson

  5. School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Kelly-Jean Sutton

  6. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Kelly-Jean Sutton

Authors
  1. Dann G. Mallet
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  2. Masoumeh Bagher-Oskouei
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  3. A. Charisse Farr
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  4. Daniel P. Simpson
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  5. Kelly-Jean Sutton
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Correspondence to Dann G. Mallet.

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Mallet, D.G., Bagher-Oskouei, M., Farr, A.C. et al. A Mathematical Model of Chlamydial Infection Incorporating Movement of Chlamydial Particles. Bull Math Biol 75, 2257–2270 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-013-9891-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-013-9891-9

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