title: A model for the coupled disease dynamics of HIV and HSV-2 with mixing among and between genders.
abstract: Evidence indicates that those with genital herpes (HSV-2) infections have greater risks of infection by HIV; and, once co-infected, are more likely to transmit HIV. To better understand the interactions between HIV and HSV-2, we construct a mathematical model that describes the joint dynamics. A new feature of this model is the inclusion of both heterosexual and homosexual interactions. We derive and interpret the basic and invasion reproduction numbers for HIV and HSV-2 using the approach of next-generation matrices. We then perform scenario analyses and conduct a sensitivity analysis to investigate the impact of the model parameters on the reproduction numbers and disease prevalences. We conclude that homosexual transmission drastically changes the disease prevalences; hence, it is important to account for this interaction as models that ignore homosexuality may greatly underestimate the disease burden.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Purdue University, 150 N. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. Electronic address: clorenzo@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvey
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Purdue University, 150 N. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. Electronic address: fengz@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Zhilan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: jwglass@emory.edu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glasser
mesh_terms: D050936:Basic Reproduction Number / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000635:transmission*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical
keywords: Basic reproduction number; HIV; HSV-2; Invasion reproduction number; Population dynamics; Sensitivity analysis