A MATHEMATICAL MODEL TO ASSESS THE IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI INFECTION

A mathematical model is developed to assess Immoral and cellular 411 MU. le responses against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Analysis of the model shows a unique non-trivial equilibrium, which is locally asymptotically stable, except in the case of a strong cellular response. When the proliferation of the activated CD8 T cells is increased, this equilibrium becomes unstable and a limit cycle appears. However, this behavior can he avoided by increasing the action of the humoral response. Therefore, unbalanced humoral and cellular responses can be responsible for long asymptomatic period, and the control of Trypanosoma Cruzi infection is a consequence of well coordinated action of both humoral and cellular responses.