The Mathematical Modeling of the Host–Virus Interaction in Dengue Virus Infection: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Infectious diseases, such as Dengue fever, pose a significant public health threat. Developing a reliable mathematical model plays a crucial role in quantitatively elucidating the kinetic characteristics of antibody–virus interactions. By integrating previous models and incorporating the antibody dynamic theory, we have constructed a novel and robust model that can accurately simulate the dynamics of antibodies and viruses based on a comprehensive understanding of immunology principles. It explicitly formulates the viral clearance effect of antibodies, along with the positive feedback stimulation of virus–antibody complexes on antibody regeneration. In addition to providing quantitative insights into the dynamics of antibodies and viruses, the model exhibits a high degree of accuracy in capturing the kinetics of viruses and antibodies in Dengue fever patients. This model offers a valuable solution to modeling the differences between primary and secondary Dengue infections concerning IgM/IgG antibodies. Furthermore, it demonstrates that a faster removal rate of antibody–virus complexes might lead to a higher peak viral loading and worse clinical symptom. Moreover, it provides a reasonable explanation for the antibody-dependent enhancement of heterogeneous Dengue infections. Ultimately, this model serves as a foundation for constructing an optimal mathematical model to combat various infectious diseases in the future.