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Identifying reservoirs of infection: a conceptual and practical challenge
Daniel T Haydon1, Sarah Cleaveland, Louise H Taylor
1University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK. dhaydon@uoguelph.ca
Abstract:
Many infectious agents, especially those that cause emerging diseases, infect more than one host species. Managing reservoirs of multihost pathogens often plays a crucial role in effective disease control. However, reservoirs remain variously and loosely defined. We propose that reservoirs can only be understood with reference to defined target populations. Therefore, we define a reservoir as one or more epidemiologically connected populations or environments in which the pathogen can be permanently maintained and from which infection is transmitted to the defined target population. Existence of a reservoir is confirmed when infection within the target population cannot be sustained after all transmission between target and nontarget populations has been eliminated. When disease can be controlled solely by interventions within target populations, little knowledge of potentially complex reservoir infection dynamics is necessary for effective control. We discuss the practical value of different approaches that may be used to identify reservoirs in the field.
Insights
Understanding pathogen reservoirs is key for controlling emerging infectious diseases. This study defines a reservoir by its connection to a target population, aiding disease management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Disease Ecology
- Infectious Disease Dynamics
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases often involve pathogens with multiple host species.
- Effective disease control hinges on managing pathogen reservoirs.
- Current definitions of reservoirs are often imprecise and lack clear operational criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a refined, population-centric definition of a pathogen reservoir.
- To establish criteria for identifying and confirming the existence of a reservoir.
- To clarify the practical implications of reservoir identification for disease control.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development based on epidemiological connectivity.
- Definition of a reservoir relative to a defined target population.
- Criteria for reservoir confirmation through elimination of transmission pathways.
Main Results:
- A reservoir is defined as populations/environments where a pathogen is permanently maintained and transmitted to a target population.
- Reservoir existence is confirmed if target population infection cannot be sustained after eliminating non-target transmission.
- Disease control may not require detailed knowledge of reservoir dynamics if interventions are confined to the target population.
Conclusions:
- A precise definition of pathogen reservoirs, linked to target populations, is essential for effective disease management.
- The proposed definition provides a framework for identifying and managing reservoirs of multihost pathogens.
- Understanding reservoir dynamics is crucial, but the level of detail needed depends on the chosen control strategy.