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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 13 June 2015)

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The Complexity of a Dengue Vaccine: A Review of the Human Antibody Response
Jacky Flipse, Jolanda M. Smit
Review | published 11 Jun 2015 | PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003749

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The Case for Improved Diagnostic Tools to Control Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa and How to Get There
Arlene C. Chua, Jane Cunningham, Francis Moussy, Mark D. Perkins, Pierre Formenty
Policy Platform | published 11 Jun 2015 | PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003734

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Research Article
Prioritising Infectious Disease Mapping
David M. Pigott, Rosalind E. Hows, Antoinette Wiebe, Katherine E. Battle, Nick Golding, Peter W. Gething, Scott F. Dowell, Tamer H. Farag, Andres J. Garcia, Ann M. Kimball, L. Kendall Krause, Craig H. Smith, Simon J. Brooker, [ … ],Simon I. Hay
Published: June 10, 2015
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003756
Abstract
Background
Increasing volumes of data and computational capacity afford unprecedented opportunities to scale up infectious disease (ID) mapping for public health uses. Whilst a large number of IDs show global spatial variation, comprehensive knowledge of these geographic patterns is poor. Here we use an objective method to prioritise mapping efforts to begin to address the large deficit in global disease maps currently available.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Automation of ID mapping requires bespoke methodological adjustments tailored to the epidemiological characteristics of different types of diseases. Diseases were therefore grouped into 33 clusters based upon taxonomic divisions and shared epidemiological characteristics. Disability-adjusted life years, derived from the Global Burden of Disease 2013 study, were used as a globally consistent metric of disease burden. A review of global health stakeholders, existing literature and national health priorities was undertaken to assess relative interest in the diseases. The clusters were ranked by combining both metrics, which identified 44 diseases of main concern within 15 principle clusters. Whilst malaria, HIV and tuberculosis were the highest priority due to their considerable burden, the high priority clusters were dominated by neglected tropical diseases and vector-borne parasites.
Conclusions/Significance
A quantitative, easily-updated and flexible framework for prioritising diseases is presented here. The study identifies a possible future strategy for those diseases where significant knowledge gaps remain, as well as recognising those where global mapping programs have already made significant progress. For many conditions, potential shared epidemiological information has yet to be exploited.
Author Summary
Maps have long been used to not only visualise, but also to inform infectious disease control efforts, identify and predict areas of greatest risk of specific diseases, and better understand the epidemiology of disease over various spatial scales. In spite of the utilities of such outputs, globally comprehensive maps have been produced for only a handful of infectious diseases. Due to limited resources, it is necessary to define a framework to prioritise which diseases to consider mapping globally. This paper outlines a framework which compares each disease’s global burden with its associated interest from the policy community in a data-driven manner which can be used to determine the relative priority of each condition. Malaria, HIV and TB are, unsurprisingly, ranked highest due to their considerable health burden, while the other priority diseases are dominated by neglected tropical diseases and vector-borne diseases. For some conditions, global mapping efforts are already in place, however, for many neglected conditions there still remains a need for high resolution spatial surveys.