Modelling and simulation of granuloma formation in visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is usually fatal if untreated. Host resistance is thought to involve the accumulation of inflammatory cells into structures called granulomas. To date, the possible processes underlying granuloma formation are not fully understood. The importance of modelling in immunology is increasing particularly for dynamic processes that are hard to study in vivo over extended periods of time. Appropriate modelling can provide novel insights that might help deepen the understanding of phenomena and/or help guide experimental work. This paper discusses initial studies on the regulation of granuloma using a combination of UML like modelling and agent based simulation.