Serological analyses and surveys are key to understanding both the immune response and the epidemiology of human infectious diseases. The importance of these analyses is currently so high that there is a general discussion among the research community about the possibility of creating a World Serum bank, or biobank, for infectious diseases. In addition, the need for reliable serological surveys has been revealed with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other recent infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., caused by the Zika virus). On the one hand, serological surveys enable the identification of antigens that drive the natural immune response to SARS-CoV-2. On the other hand, serological surveys conducted at the population level provide invaluable insight on vaccine coverage and the true level of exposure to the infection given that asymptomatic individuals can be identified by their antibody signature. However, serological surveys are typically based on the analysis of a few antibodies/antigens due to the use of traditional ELISA, which are easily scalable to a large number of samples and require less specialized staff and labs to be conducted. Therefore, serological surveys based on multiplex platforms that use a larger panel of antibody analytes are needed to increase the reliability of the immune profile derived from the population.
This Research Topic on the serology of infectious diseases aims to collate recent advances in serological analysis and surveillance studies. In particular, this call aims to review the state of the art with reference to new technological advancements and novel analytical paradigms that can help increase the reliability and support the interpretation of multiplex serological data.
The scope of the Research Topic includes, but is not restricted to:
1. Applications, surveys and studies based on ELISAs in the context of emerging and neglected infectious diseases, and understudied diseases that can be triggered by an infection (e.g., Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, long-COVID, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Fisher Syndrome, among others);
2. Studies and applications of high-throughput multiplex serological technologies such as antibody microarrays, suspension and cytometric bead assays;
3. Development and application of mathematical models, machine learning techniques and statistical methods for serological data analysis;
4. Discussions on public health policies involving the application of serological testing (e.g., patient’s triaging, certification of disease elimination and eradication).
Here, contributions are welcome in forms such as original research, brief report, review, min-review, meta-analysis, opinion, and commentary articles.
Serological analyses and surveys are key to understanding both the immune response and the epidemiology of human infectious diseases. The importance of these analyses is currently so high that there is a general discussion among the research community about the possibility of creating a World Serum bank, or biobank, for infectious diseases. In addition, the need for reliable serological surveys has been revealed with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other recent infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., caused by the Zika virus). On the one hand, serological surveys enable the identification of antigens that drive the natural immune response to SARS-CoV-2. On the other hand, serological surveys conducted at the population level provide invaluable insight on vaccine coverage and the true level of exposure to the infection given that asymptomatic individuals can be identified by their antibody signature. However, serological surveys are typically based on the analysis of a few antibodies/antigens due to the use of traditional ELISA, which are easily scalable to a large number of samples and require less specialized staff and labs to be conducted. Therefore, serological surveys based on multiplex platforms that use a larger panel of antibody analytes are needed to increase the reliability of the immune profile derived from the population.
This Research Topic on the serology of infectious diseases aims to collate recent advances in serological analysis and surveillance studies. In particular, this call aims to review the state of the art with reference to new technological advancements and novel analytical paradigms that can help increase the reliability and support the interpretation of multiplex serological data.
The scope of the Research Topic includes, but is not restricted to:
1. Applications, surveys and studies based on ELISAs in the context of emerging and neglected infectious diseases, and understudied diseases that can be triggered by an infection (e.g., Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, long-COVID, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Fisher Syndrome, among others);
2. Studies and applications of high-throughput multiplex serological technologies such as antibody microarrays, suspension and cytometric bead assays;
3. Development and application of mathematical models, machine learning techniques and statistical methods for serological data analysis;
4. Discussions on public health policies involving the application of serological testing (e.g., patient’s triaging, certification of disease elimination and eradication).
Here, contributions are welcome in forms such as original research, brief report, review, min-review, meta-analysis, opinion, and commentary articles.