Research team
Expertise
Infectious disease epidemiology, clinical studies, controlled human infection studies, vaccine studies, vaccines, internal medicine, clinical infectious diseases, clinical immunology, aerobiology
Correlates of contagiousness in controlled human infection models of respiratory pathogen.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the inadequacy of measures to control human-to-human spread of respiratory pathogens. This points at a need to (1) better understand the importance of different transmission modes of respiratory pathogens, (2) distinguish contagious from non-contagious individuals, and (3) accurately assess the transmission blocking potential of (non-)pharmaceutical interventions. Controlled human infection models (CHIM) are uniquely positioned to study disease pathogenesis, correlates of protection and transmission, and evaluate preventive (e.g. vaccination), therapeutic (e.g. antivirals) and diagnostic strategies. This proposal aims to benefit from CHIMs taking place at a 30 bed BSL3 CHIM trial facility (Vaccinopolis, University of Antwerp) and its partners to study respiratory pathogen contagiousness. In WP1, we will build and validate a transportable airborne assessment unit that controls for ventilation, directional airflow, temperature and humidity. This allows to standardise air sampling across well-ventilated settings. In WP2, we will investigate the association between super spreading and respiratory particle exhalation in the absence of infection. In WP3-5, we will investigate correlates of lower respiratory contagiousness (breath and air sampling) in CHIM trials, including the first SARS-CoV-2 CHIM to test a (mucosal) vaccine. The project will elucidate mechanisms of respiratory infection transmission and improve interventions to interrupt it.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Damme Pierre
- Fellow: Raymenants Joren
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project