A generalized within-host model of dengue infection with a non-constant monocyte production rate

Abstract

In this paper, we generalize a previous model of within-host dengue infection with a nonconstant monocyte production rate. We establish the existence of three equilibria and give some local stability results. We then estimate three parameters in the model from clinical data for dengue virus serotype 2. It is then shown that the model can exhibit behaviours that are not possible under the assumption of constant monocyte production. Lastly, we perform a sensitivity analysis of the model in two contexts, antiviral treatment and immunostimulatory treatment. The results predict that antiviral treatments that reduce the viral replication rate in infected monocytes are the most effective, while immunostimulatory treatments that increase the rate at which infected monocytes are removed are best.