Sébastien Lion

Abstract Parasite competition is a key factor driving the epidemiology and evolution of parasites, and is expected to modulate the selective pressures acting upon the host, and to alter its response to infection.Using a nested co-evolutionary model where epidemiological traits (transmission, virulence and recovery) are derived from within-host interactions between parasite strains, we analyse using adaptive dynamics methodology the joint evolution of parasite virulence and host resistance.

Abstract Parasite evolution is expected to modulate selective pressures acting upon host, and alter its response to infection. In such a context, parasite competition seems be a key variable for the evolutionary dynamics and epidemic features. We develop a nested coevolutionary model of host resistance and parasite virulence.

Abstract Worldwide inequalities in vaccine availability are expected to affect the spread and spatial distribution of infectious diseases. It is unclear, however, how spatial variation in vaccination coverage can affect the long-term evolution of pathogens. Here we use an analytical model and numerical simulations to analyse the influence of different imperfect vaccines on the potential evolution of pathogen virulence in a two-population model where vaccination coverage varies between populations.