Mathematical methods for scaling from within-host to population-scale in infectious disease systems

Area of Science:

• Mathematical modeling
• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease dynamics

Background:

• Pathogen dynamics occur at multiple scales, influencing both individual-level infection and population-level transmission.
• Understanding the interplay between within-host and between-host pathogen dynamics is crucial for accurate disease modeling.
• Existing models often focus on a single scale, limiting comprehensive analysis.

Approach:

• Systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Categorization of multiscale infectious disease models into five methodological approaches.
• Analysis of the benefits and limitations of each modeling category.

Key Points:

• Multiscale models integrate within-host and between-host dynamics for a holistic view.
• Five distinct methodological categories of multiscale modeling were identified.
• The review provides a foundational understanding of multiscale infectious disease modeling.

Conclusions:

• Multiscale modeling is essential for capturing the complexity of infectious disease transmission.
• This review offers a structured framework for understanding and developing multiscale models.
• The findings guide researchers in selecting and applying appropriate modeling strategies.