Applying Network Theory to Epidemics: Control Measures for Mycoplasma pneumoniae Outbreaks
نویسندگان
چکیده
We introduce a novel mathematical approach to investigating the spread and control of communicable infections in closed communities. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia in the United States. Outbreaks of illness attributable to mycoplasma commonly occur in closed or semi-closed communities. These outbreaks are difficult to contain because of delays in outbreak detection, the long incubation period of the bacterium, and an incomplete understanding of the effectiveness of infection control strategies. Our model explicitly captures the patterns of interactions among patients and caregivers in an institution with multiple wards. Analysis of this contact network predicts that, despite the relatively low prevalence of mycoplasma pneumonia found among caregivers, the patterns of caregiver activity and the extent to which they are protected against infection may be fundamental to the control and prevention of mycoplasma outbreaks. In particular, the most effective interventions are those that reduce the diversity of interactions between caregivers and patients.
منابع مشابه
Applying Network Theory to Epidemics: Control Measures for Outbreaks of “Mycoplasma pneumoniae”
متن کامل
Enhanced control of an outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with azithromycin prophylaxis.
There are currently no recommended epidemic-control measures for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia outbreaks in closed communities. Previous studies have suggested the usefulness of chemoprophylaxis administered to close contacts of case-patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of various epidemic-control measures during an institutional outbreak, an observational study was undertaken during a ver...
متن کاملMycoplasma pneumoniae Outbreak in a Long-Term Care Facility — Nebraska, 2014
On June 20, 2014, a Nebraska long-term care facility notified the East Central District Health Department (ECDHD) and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) of an outbreak of respiratory illness characterized by cough and fever in 22 residents and resulting in four deaths during the preceding 2 weeks. To determine the etiologic agent, identify additional cases, and implement c...
متن کاملEpidemiological comparison of three Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia epidemics in a single hospital over 10 years
PURPOSE Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia epidemics have occurred in 3- to 4-year cycles in Korea. We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics of MP pneumonia in Daejeon, Korea, from 2003 to 2012. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 779 medical records of children (0-15 years of old) with MP pneumonia admitted to our institution and compared the data from 3 recent epidemics. RESULTS I...
متن کاملMycoplasma pneumoniae Outbreaks on Navy Vessels.
It was a great pleasure to read the nicely written article published in the journal on an Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak on a U.S. Navy vessel (7). Indeed M. pneumoniae outbreaks have commonly been reported in military settings, being attributed mainly to the close proximity of army personnel and recruits (1, 3, 5, 6). Two types of epidemics have been noted: smoldering epidemics that occur over...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
دوره 9 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2003