Why apply ecological laws to epidemiology?

Morand Serge, Krasnov Boris R.. 2008. Why apply ecological laws to epidemiology?. Trends in Parasitology, 24 (7) : 304-309.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2008.04.003

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Résumé : Using ecological laws, or rules, is a useful strategy for epidemiological observations. The application of Taylor's power law to epidemiology and evolutionary ecology of parasites is exemplified here. Taylor's power law takes the form of s2 = amb, where s2 is the variance in population abundance, m is the mean abundance of the population, a represents a constant parameter and b represents an index of spatial heterogeneity. Although Taylor's power law reflects the aggregation of parasite (or pathogen) individuals among host population, the values of b could reflect regulation processes in host- parasite systems. Illustrations are given showing how b value is linked to various epidemiological situations: pathogen emergence, the impact of vaccination or the level of host immune defence.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : modèle mathématique, écologie des populations, dynamique des populations, épidémiologie, parasite, agent pathogène, immunodéficience, hôte, vaccination, relation hôte parasite

Classification Agris : L72 - Organismes nuisibles des animaux
L20 - Écologie animale
L73 - Maladies des animaux

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 4 (2005-2013) - Santé animale et maladies émergentes

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