Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (EIDAR).

Area of Science:

• Military Infectious Disease Research
• Global Health Security
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• The Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (EIDAR) Research Area is a Department of Defense (DoD) capability focused on emerging infectious disease (EID) threats to US military readiness.
• Research evaluates incidence, risk factors, and health effects of military-relevant EIDs, particularly high-consequence pathogens and outbreaks.
• EIDAR also addresses Force Health Protection concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and stewardship within the Military Health System (MHS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically prepare for emergent conditions by collecting clinical specimens and data for clinical trials.
• To evaluate the burden of emergent military-relevant infectious diseases and assess risks for exposure and post-infectious complications.
• To understand the overall impact of EIDs on military readiness and Force Health Protection.

Main Methods:

• Developing contingency plans for clinical research during outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever and severe acute respiratory infections.
• Conducting surveillance for EIDs such as borreliosis, Coccidioides infections, and Zika virus among MHS beneficiaries.
• Utilizing online health assessments to study long-term health effects following outbreaks, like Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli.
• Collaborating on initiatives to characterize pathogens in combat wounds and linking laboratory findings to clinical outcomes.
• Establishing a consortium for collaborative clinical research on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.

Main Results:

• Successfully partnered on Ebola therapeutics research and developed a contingency plan (EpICC-EID) for future outbreaks.
• Expanded research portfolio to include seroincidence of non-Lyme borreliosis and Coccidioides infections.
• Launched prospective surveillance for Zika and related viruses in Puerto Rico.
• Initiated a study on long-term health effects following a large E. coli outbreak.
• Involved in characterizing multidrug-resistant organisms in combat wounds and developing an Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Consortium.

Conclusions:

• EIDAR research directly addresses military-relevant infectious disease threats that are also global public health concerns.
• Ongoing EIDAR efforts provide critical epidemiological information to stakeholders.
• These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of EIDs and antimicrobial resistance on the health of US military personnel and their dependents.