Applying network theory to epidemics: control measures for Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreaks

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-cl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Emerging infectious diseases 2003-02, Vol.9 (2), p.204-210
Main Authors: Ancel Meyers, Lauren, Newman, M E J, Martin, Michael, Schrag, Stephanie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial pneumonia
Caregivers
Communicable diseases
Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control
Disease transmission
Epidemics
epidemiology
Health aspects
Humans
Infection Control - methods
Mathematical Computing
Models, Theoretical
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae - isolation & purification
network
Patients' Rooms - standards
Pneumonia
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - epidemiology
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - prevention & control
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - transmission
Prevention
respiratory tract infections
theoretical
United States
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1080-6040
1080-6059
DOI:10.3201/eid0902.020188