HIV Case Management using Agent-Based Modeling Approach Subject to Antiretroviral Therapy and Lifestyle Treatment Plan

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> This study presents a spatially explicit agent-based model that simulates the interactions between T-cells, viruses, and therapeutic agents in HIV case management. The model framework simulates individual biological entities as discrete agents on a two-dimensional grid to investigate the effects of antiretroviral drugs and lifestyle factors. To validate its accuracy, the model was simulated across three distinct clinical stages of HIV infection and a comparative analysis of four intervention scenarios revealed that while drug therapy is essential for immediate viral suppression, the combination of drugs and lifestyle consistently produces favorably outcomes. Most notably, the study found that in the advanced stage of the disease, this combination therapy was capable of completely eliminating the resistant virus population. The findings of this study demonstrate that a holistic approach to HIV case management, integrating both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions, provides a crucial synergistic effect that promotes long-term immune health and is paramount in preventing the emergence of drug resistance. The agent-based model presented here serves as a powerful framework for future exploration of optimal, personalized treatment strategies.