Turing patterns from dynamics of early HIV infection over a two-dimensional surface

TL;DR

This paper models early HIV infection dynamics on a two-dimensional surface, revealing conditions for pattern formation and infection hotspots, which are crucial for understanding infection spread and microbicide development.

Contribution

It introduces a spatially explicit mathematical model incorporating chemotaxis and diffusion, providing new insights into early HIV infection pattern formation.

Findings

Identification of conditions for Turing instability in HIV infection models

Simulation results show localized infection hotspots

Implications for microbicide effectiveness and infection control

Abstract

We have developed a mathematical model for in-host virus dynamics that includes spatial chemotaxis and diffusion across a two dimensional surface representing the vaginal or rectal epithelium at primary HIV infection. A linear stability analysis of the steady state solutions identified conditions for Turing instability pattern formation. We have solved the model equations numerically using parameter values obtained from previous experimental results for HIV infections. Simulations of the model for this surface show hot spots of infection. Understanding this localization is an important step in the ability to correctly model early HIV infection. These spatial variations also have implications for the development and effectiveness of microbicides against HIV.