A model incorporating combined RTIs and PIs therapy during early HIV-1 infection

We develop a within host mathematical model of HIV-1 infection describing the effects of combined RTIs and PIs treatments on early HIV-1 infection when treatment is captured using periodic functions of pharmacokinetics type. We use an alternative of the basic reproduction number to analyze endemicity level of HIV-1 infection. Various treatment scenarios incorporating perfect and imperfect drug adherence in drug administration are explored. Our results show that pharmacokinetics treatment is a more realistic way of administering the treatment. Apart from confirming that PIs drugs are more effective than RTIs drugs and that combined RTIs and PIs therapy is more effective than monotherapy of RTIs or PIs, our results show that imperfect drug adherence leads to the increase of viral in the absence of mutation even though the drug is good.