The reinfection threshold

The reinfection threshold.

Thresholds in transmission are responsible for critical changes in infectious disease epidemiology. The epidemic threshold indicates whether infection invades a totally susceptible population. The reinfection threshold indicates whether self-sustained transmission occurs in a population that has developed a degree of partial immunity to the pathogen (by previous infection or vaccination). In mo...

The reinfection threshold regulates pathogen diversity: the case of influenza.

The awareness that pathogens can adapt and evolve over relatively short time-scales is changing our view of infectious disease epidemiology and control. Research on the transmission dynamics of antigenically diverse pathogens is progressing and there is increasing recognition for the need of new concepts and theories. Mathematical models have been developed considering the modelling unit in two...

The reinfection threshold promotes variability in tuberculosis epidemiology and vaccine efficacy.

Population patterns of infection are determined largely by susceptibility to infection. Infection and vaccination induce an immune response that, typically, reduces susceptibility to subsequent infections. With a general epidemic model, we detect a 'reinfection threshold', above which reinfection is the principal type of transmission and, consequently, infection levels are much higher and vacci...

Rubella reinfection.

HCV clearance and reinfection

The majority of acute HCV infections progress to chronicity, implying that the immune response is unable to clear virus in most instances. Reinfection with a second strain of HCV after clearance of an initial infection has been reported in several recent studies. Moreover, individuals with HCV infection may be at risk of HCV superinfection with a second strain of HCV even after the establishmen...