Modelling the Impact of Relapse and Weaning Off Immunity on Hepatitis B Virus Transmission Dynamics

Abstract

In this study, we present a numerical simulation of the impact of relapse in patients with chronic HBV infection and weaning off immunity on vaccinated individuals within the transmission dynamics of Hepatitis B. The sensitivity analysis result establishes that relapse rate and weaning off immunity increase the value of the effective reproduction number when it is increased. Similarly, the result of the numerical simulation reveals that the combined effect of relapse and weaning off immunity increases the number of infected persons and thus, increases the spread of the Hepatitis B Virus. Also, relapse delays the quick response to the treatment regimen which consequently slows down the potential of recovery from the infection, whereas, weaning off immunity reduces the number of vaccinated individuals.