Sorenson, Josey

English

ISU ReD: Research and eData

Presentation for the Symposium on BEER October 2019Improving Parasite Transmission Parameters for aMathematical Model of Swimmer’s Itch Through BothEmpirical and Analytical TechniquesCarley Middleton1, Josey Sorenson2*, James Peirce3,4, Greg Sandland51The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 432102University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 546013Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 546014UWL River Studies Center5Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI 54601sorensson.josey@uwlax.eduSwimmer’s itch is a skin condition caused by avian parasitic worms that attempt to invade human skinwithin infested water bodies. Although the parasites fail to develop in people, infection does result inextreme itching and discomfort that can last for days to months. Because of this, there is growing interestin developing strategies that can help better predict outbreaks of swimmer’s itch and, ultimately, reduce thenumber of human cases. One novel approach is to develop mathematical models that adequately capture thebiology of the system; however, establishing relevant parameters can be difficult due to the complex natureof host-parasite interactions. We developed a seasonal model for swimmer’s itch which initially contained anumber of unresolved parameters (such as parasite transmission rates and death rates in infected birds). Torectify this issue, we employed field collections, literature searches, and mathematical techniques (specifically,genetic algorithm approaches) to better estimate biologically relevant parameters for the model. Throughthis process we have enhanced the predictive capacity of our swimmer’s itch model which, in turn, couldserve as an important tool for managing outbreaks of the disease throughout the Midwest.

Improving Parasite Transmission Parameters for a Mathematical Model of Swimmer\u27s Itch Through Both Empirical and Analytical Techniques

https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1393&context=beer

Improving Parasite Transmission Parameters for a Mathematical Model of Swimmer\u27s Itch Through Both Empirical and Analytical Techniques

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ISU ReD: Research and eData