AI Article Synopsis
- Scientists created a math model to see how the body fights infections and the energy it uses during healthy times and when sick.
- They found that infections that are common but not very strong can lead to long-lasting sickness, while stronger but rarer infections cause quick, serious illnesses.
- This study helps us understand how the immune system changes over time, which can lead to long-term illnesses or weak defenses against diseases.
Article Abstract
A mathematical model of long-term immune defense against infection was used to estimate the energy involved in the principal processes of immune resistance during periods of health and infection. From these values, an optimal level of energy was determined for immune response depending on infection burden. The present findings suggest that weak but prevalent pathogens lead to latent or chronic infection, whereas more virulent but less prevalent pathogens result in acute infection. This energy-based approach offers insight into the mechanisms of immune system adaptation leading to the development of chronic infectious diseases and immune deficiencies.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2005.11.004 | DOI Listing |
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