title: Fuzzy modeling in symptomatic HIV virus infected population.
abstract: This paper introduces a model for the evolution of positive HIV population and manifestation of AIDS (acquired immunideficiency syndrome). The focus is on the nature of the transference rate of HIV to AIDS. Expert knowledge indicates that the transference rate is uncertain and depends strongly on the viral load and the CD4+ level of the infected individuals. Here, we suggest to view the transference rate as a fuzzy set of the viral load and CD4+ level values. In this case the dynamic model results in a fuzzy model that preserves the biological meaning and nature of the transference rate lambda. Its behavior fits the natural history of HIV infection reported in the medical science domain. The paper also includes a comparison between the fuzzy model and a classic Anderson's model using data reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mathematics, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. rosanam@dca.fee.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Rosana Motta
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Jafelice
authors.forename: Laécio Carvalho
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Barros
authors.forename: Rodney Carlos
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bassanezi
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gomide
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019562:Viral Load