Use of Serological Surveys to Generate Key Insights into the Changing Global Landscape of Infectious Disease

Citation

Metcalf, C. Jessica E.; Farrar, Jeremy; Cutts, Felicity T.; Basta, Nicole E.; Graham, Andrea L.; Lessler, Justin; Ferguson, Neil M.; Burke, Donald S.; & Grenfell, Bryan T. (2016). Use of Serological Surveys to Generate Key Insights into the Changing Global Landscape of Infectious Disease. Lancet, 388(10045), 728-730. PMCID: PMC5678936

Abstract

A central conundrum in the study of infectious disease dynamics is to define the landscape of population immunity. The proportion of individuals protected against a specific pathogen determines the timing and scale of outbreaks, and the pace of evolution for infections that can evade prevailing humoral immunity. Serological surveys provide the most direct measurement to define the immunity landscape for many infectious diseases, yet this methodology remains underexploited. To address this
gap, we propose a World Serology Bank and associated major methodological developments in serological testing, study design, and quantitative analysis, which could drive a step change in our understanding and optimum control of infectious diseases.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30164-7

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2016

Journal Title

Lancet

Author(s)

Metcalf, C. Jessica E.
Farrar, Jeremy
Cutts, Felicity T.
Basta, Nicole E.
Graham, Andrea L.
Lessler, Justin
Ferguson, Neil M.
Burke, Donald S.
Grenfell, Bryan T.

Article Type

Viewpoint

PMCID

PMC5678936

ORCiD

Lessler - 0000-0002-9741-8109