Integrating immunological and epidemiological models

Laurentiu M Sega, Purdue University

Abstract

These two types of models, epidemiological and immunological, have been around for some time. Epidemic models are mostly ODE-based models that use epidemiological classes like susceptibles, recovered, infectives, latently infected, etc. to describe the evolution of an epidemic in a population. Some of them use structure variables, such as size or age. Immunological models describe the evolution of the immune system/pathogen in the host once infected, evolution that usually results in death, recovery or chronic infection. There is valuable insight to be gained from combining these two types of models, as that will lead to a better understanding, for example, of the HIV-epidemic in United States or even other parts of the world. In this thesis we will take a detailed look at the main epidemiological and immunological models existent, and we propose a new type of model that combines the two by using variables of immunological nature as structure variables for epidemiological models. We will prove the well-posedness of the proposed model and will end with a look at the model's practical applications.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Milner, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Applied Mathematics|Biophysics|Immunology

COinS