The abstract is read at the publisher; the summary is JClub's.
Network heterogeneity in an SIS multi-strain model with co-infection alters pairwise invasion fitness, generally speeding strain dynamics and reducing the number of coexisting strains.
- Why it matters: Contact heterogeneity is known to shape epidemic spread, but its role in multi-strain selection and coexistence during endemic conditions is less understood.
- What they did: The authors build an SIS framework for interacting strains with co-infection that, under similarity, becomes replicator dynamics on a host contact network, varying five traits while changing only the co-infection vulnerability matrix.
- The result: Increasing heterogeneity accelerates dynamics and lowers coexistence, with stronger fitness variation at low transmission intensity and low co-infection vulnerability (low R0 → 1 and σ → 0), and peak dynamical sensitivity at intermediate transmission and co-infection facilitation.
The findingWhy it mattersWhat they didThe result
AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.