Epidemiological consequences of enduring strain-specific immunity requiring repeated episodes of infection.

ABSTRACT: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) skin infections are caused by a diverse array of strain types and are highly prevalent in disadvantaged populations. The role of strain-specific immunity in preventing GAS infections is poorly understood, representing a critical knowledge gap in vaccine development. A recent GAS murine challenge study showed evidence that sterilising strain-specific and enduring immunity required two skin infections by the same GAS strain within three weeks. This mechanism of developing enduring immunity may be a significant impediment to the accumulation of immunity in populations. We used an agent-based mathematical model of GAS transmission to investigate the epidemiological consequences of enduring strain-specific immunity developing only after two infections with the same s

SUBMITTER: Chisholm RH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7299408 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature