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Dose-response models for selected respiratory infectious agents: Bordetella pertussis, group a Streptococcus, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus

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posted on 2016-09-12, 00:00 authored by Rachel M. Jones, Yu-Min Su
Dose-response assessment is one step in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Four infectious microbes capable of causing respiratory diseases important to public health, and for which dose-response functions have not been available are: (whooping cough), group A (pharyngitis), rhinovirus (common cold) and respiratory syncytial virus (common cold). The objective of this study was to fit dose-response functions for these microbes to published experimental data. Methods: Experimental infectivity data in human subjects and/or animal models were identified from the peer-reviewed literature. The exponential and beta-Poisson dose-response functions were fitted using the method of maximum likelihood, and models compared by Akaike's Information Criterion. Results: Dose-response functions were identified for each appropriate data set for the four infectious microbes. Statistical and graphical measures of fit are presented. Conclusions: With the fitted dose-response functions it will be possible to perform QMRA for these microbes. The dose-response functions, however, have a number of limitations associated with the route of exposure, use of animal hosts, and quality of fit. As a result, thoughtfulness must be used in selecting one dose-response function for a QMRA, and the function should be recognized as a significant source of uncertainty. Nonetheless, QMRA offers a transparent, systematic framework within which to understand the mechanisms of disease transmission, and evaluate interventions.

Funding

This work was supported in part by Eastern Research Group, Inc agreements 0306.00.008/01 and 0306.01.014/01 and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Contract 211-2006-M-162553.

History

Publisher Statement

This is a copy of an article published in the BMC Infectious Disease. © 2015 Jones and Su.

Publisher

BioMed Central

Language

  • en_US

issn

1471-2334

Issue date

2015-02-24

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