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The Israel National Sera Bank: Methods, Representativeness, and Challenges
Ravit Bassal1,2, Dani Cohen2, Manfred S Green3
1Israel Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 5262160, Israel.
Summary
The Israel National Sera Bank (INSB) provides crucial data on population immunity against infectious diseases. Established in 1997, it collects residual sera to inform public health policy and track disease exposure.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Israel National Sera Bank (INSB) was founded in 1997 at the Israel Center for Disease Control.
- It was created to monitor population immunity and infectious disease exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the methods, representativeness, and challenges of maintaining the INSB.
- To assess the INSB's utility as a public health resource.
Main Methods:
- The INSB collects residual sera from six different laboratories across Israel.
- By the end of 2019, 138,898 serum samples were archived.
- Sample demographics closely mirror the general Israeli population.
Main Results:
- The INSB holds a substantial collection of serum samples from various regions and healthcare facilities.
- Demographic data indicates good representation of the general population.
- Key challenges include maintaining representativeness, donor repetition, costs, and sample stability.
Conclusions:
- The INSB is a vital resource for monitoring population immunity and infectious disease trends in Israel.
- Its long-term data collection capability is essential for public health surveillance.
- Addressing challenges is crucial for the continued effectiveness of the INSB.
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