Antibodies of HCV

Abstract

We present a mathematical model which describes the development of HCV, and its resistant variants, in a patient. We assume that, apart from the variants that are already in the patient’s blood stream, it requires only one more mutation at a specific nucleotide for an HCV virus to become resistant to the antiviral drug being administered, i.e. for u0 (virus, together with all its variants, present when the treatment starts) to change into u1, virus which is resistant to the drug. We assume that, in the presence of drug pressure, it is easier for u0, to change to u1 than the other way around. The Model will say that there are exactly two outcomes of treatment: either the patient has a REBOUND of virus or SVR, sustained viral recovery. The model will also outline the important role of a patient’s immune system and say that if the immune system of the patient is strong enough, then HCV does not take hold. Finally, we shall also study how sensitive the results of our model are to changes in the treatment regime and/or to changes in the numerous parameters in the system.