Epidemiologic Investigation for Public Health, Biodefense, and Forensic Microbiology

Stephen A. Morse, Ali S. Khan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It reflects that diseases are not randomly distributed in the population and that individuals have certain characteristics that predispose to, or protect against, a variety of different diseases. Disease is the result of an epidemiological triad, where disease results from the interaction of: the human host, an infectious agent or toxin, and the environment that promotes the exposure. This chapter focuses on the use of epidemiology to identify the source of diseases caused by microorganisms or toxins. Microorganisms are very efficient at infecting humans, using a number of different strategies and mechanisms. The deliberate dissemination of a biological agent by many of these mechanisms presents the latest challenge to public health. It requires a careful epidemiologic investigation to determine whether an outbreak of infectious disease is because of the intentional release of an agent, or is naturally occurring. A number of molecular techniques have been developed for sub typing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, which will facilitate this investigation as well as identify clusters of related microorganisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMicrobial Forensics
PublisherElsevier
Pages157-171
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780120884834
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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