A model for the coupled disease dynamics of HIV and HSV-2 with mixing among and between genders

Abstract

Evidence indicates that those with genital herpes (HSV-2) infections have greater risks of infection by HIV; and, once co-infected, are more likely to transmit HIV. To better understand the interactions between HIV and HSV-2, we construct a mathematical model that describes the joint dynamics. A new feature of this model is the inclusion of both heterosexual and homosexual interactions. We derive and interpret the basic and invasion reproduction numbers for HIV and HSV-2 using the approach of next-generation matrices. We then perform scenario analyses and conduct a sensitivity analysis to investigate the impact of the model parameters on the reproduction numbers and disease prevalences. We conclude that homosexual transmission drastically changes the disease prevalences; hence, it is important to account for this interaction as models that ignore homosexuality may greatly underestimate the disease burden.

A theoretical model for the transmission dynamics of HIV/HSV-2 co-infection in the presence of poor HSV-2 treatment adherence

“…In order to find an optimal solution of model system (17), first let us define the Hamiltonian functions H for the optimal control system (17) as…”

“…With HSV-2 being a pathway for the transmission of HIV, this has motivated many authors to look at HIV/HSV-2 co-infections. A number of mathematical models have looked into mathematical modelling of HIV and HSV-2 co-infections from a number of different issues [1,[17][18][19][20]25]. In contrast to other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis, infection with HSV-2 or HIV is lifelong, and, once established, there is currently no treatment to eliminate.…”

Modeling Lyme disease transmission

“…There is an increasing body of literature, such as ( Alvey et al., 2015 , Gao et al., 2016 , Mutua et al., 2015 ) among others, investigating the co-infection dynamics of various diseases, which greatly improve our understanding of pathogen evolution. Unluckily, very few theoretical studies, except ( Slater et al., 2013 , Tang et al., 2016 ) have been performed to address the co-infection of pathogens for vector-borne diseases, especially for tick-borne pathogens.…”

Transmission dynamics of two strain herpes simplex virus

“…Foss et al [17], developed a dynamical model to estimate the HIV infection due to HSV-2 in heterosexual population. Alvey et al [18], developed a model that takes into account the transmission through either homosexual or heterosexual behaviour and investigate the impact of the coupled dynamics of HIV and HSV-2. Their results showed that homosexual transmission has great impact on the disease prevalence.…”