Speaker
Description
The introduction of vaccines during the later phases of the 2019-2022 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) emphasized the importance of understanding our immune response and the dynamics of antibody production. We improved a model that previously concentrated on viral replication and T-cells to illustrate the antibody dynamics seen in COVID-19 patients. Our analysis revealed the existence of Hopf bifurcations, where changes in the virus-positive equilibrium point (VPE) stability correspond with limit cycles. These bifurcations illustrated a more complex immune response than suggested by our earlier model. When T-cell immunity is compromised, resulting in the emergence of VPE, moderate antibody levels can facilitate pathways to manage prolonged infections through an unstable VPE. Our findings show that while T-cells can eliminate the infection by achieving a stable virus-free equilibrium, antibody responses are crucial when T-cells become overwhelmed.
