A predator–prey–disease model with immune response in infected prey

Abstract

In this paper, a predator–prey–disease model with immune response in the infected prey is formulated. The basic reproduction number of the within-host model is defined and it is found that there are three equilibria: extinction equilibrium, infection-free equilibrium and infection-persistent equilibrium. The stabilities of these equilibria are completely determined by the reproduction number of the within-host model. Furthermore, we define a basic reproduction number of the between-host model and two predator invasion numbers: predator invasion number in the absence of disease and predator invasion number in the presence of disease. We have predator and infection-free equilibrium, infection-free equilibrium, predator-free equilibrium and a co-existence equilibrium. We determine the local stabilities of these equilibria with conditions on the reproduction and invasion reproduction numbers. Finally, we show that the predator-free equilibrium is globally stable.