Models of interactions between HIV and other pathogens. |
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Authors: | A R McLean M A Nowak |
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Affiliation: | National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, U.K. |
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Abstract: | We investigate possible interactions between HIV and other pathogens that would arise if HIV replication were enhanced by the activation of T helper cells specific to other pathogens. Using mathematical models of the population dynamics of T helper cells, HIV and other pathogens we address three facets of the interactions between HIV and other pathogens: enhanced HIV replication due to immune stimulation by other pathogens; modified immune control of other pathogens due to immunosuppression by HIV; and the vicious circle formed by positive feedback between these two effects. The models predict that there is a correlation between higher levels of activated TH cells and disease progression and that there is a threshold number of activated TH cells above which the HIV infected immune system is unable to control pre-established pathogens. This threshold marks the boundary between a suppressed but still functioning immune system and the vicious circle of CD4 cell depletion that marks the final stages of AIDS. |
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