On the use of the geometric approach to global stability for three dimensional ODE systems: A bilinear case (Q947560)

The authors consider bilinear ordinary differential equations of the form \[ \dot{z}_1 = a_{13} z_1 z_3 + e_1 z_1+b_{12} z_2 + b_{13} z_3 + c_1, \] \[ \dot{z}_2 = e_2 z_2 + b_{23} z_3 + d_{22} z_1 z_3, \quad \dot{z}_3 = b_{32} z_2 + e_3 z_3, \] where the coefficients are real numbers which fulfill certain sign assumptions. These equations encompasses a range of epidemic models. Furthermore, the authors define a reproduction number \(R_0\) in terms of the coefficients. The main result states, roughly speaking, that if \(R_0<1\) then the trivial equilibrium \(E_0=(-c_1/e_1,0,0)\) is globally stable, and if \(R_0>1\) then \(E_0\) is unstable and there exists a unique globally stable equilibrium within a compact set \(\Gamma\subset\mathbb{R}^3\) given in terms of the coefficients. The conditions on the coefficients are such that the so called Bendixson criteria is fulfilled, which ensures that there are no periodic solutions. The paper is well structured and clearly written.