Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions
Published on: July 18, 2013
Sexual network structure as an indicator of epidemic phase
J J Potterat1, S Q Muth, R B Rothenberg
1STD/HIV Programs, El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910, USA. jjpotterat@earthlink.net
Abstract:
Ascertaining epidemic phase for a sexually transmitted disease (STD) has depended on secular trend data which often contain significant artefacts. The usefulness of sexual network structure as an indicator of STD epidemic phase is explored in an analysis of community wide genital chlamydia reports, with network analysis of interviewed cases and linked sexual partners, in Colorado Springs, USA, 1996 to 1999. In this period, the chlamydia case rate per 100,000 increased by 46%. Three quarters of cases (n=4953) were interviewed, nominating 7365 partners; these, combined with index cases, made up the 9114 persons in the network. Epidemiologic analysis of cases suggests that secular trend increases are artefactual. Network analysis supports this view: overall network structure is fragmented and dendritic, notably lacking the cyclic (closed loops) structures associated with network cohesion and thus with efficient STD transmission. Comparison of network structure with that of an intense STD outbreak (characterised by numerous cyclic structures) suggests low level or declining endemic rather than epidemic chlamydia transmission during the study interval. These observations accord with intuitive and stochastic predictions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Viral Structure
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Genital Herpes
Amebiasis
Trichomoniasis

