Assembling evidence for identifying reservoirs of infection

Viana, Mafalda, Mancy, Rebecca, Biek, Roman, Cleaveland, Sarah, Cross, Paul C., Lloyd-Smith, James O. and Haydon, Daniel T. 2026. Assembling evidence for identifying reservoirs of infection. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 29 (5) , pp. 270-279. 10.1016/j.tree.2014.03.002

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Abstract

Many pathogens persist in multihost systems, making the identification of infection reservoirs crucial for devising effective interventions. Here, we present a conceptual framework for classifying patterns of incidence and prevalence, and review recent scientific advances that allow us to study and manage reservoirs simultaneously. We argue that interventions can have a crucial role in enriching our mechanistic understanding of how reservoirs function and should be embedded as quasi-experimental studies in adaptive management frameworks. Single approaches to the study of reservoirs are unlikely to generate conclusive insights whereas the formal integration of data and methodologies, involving interventions, pathogen genetics, and contemporary surveillance techniques, promises to open up new opportunities to advance understanding of complex multihost systems.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Research Institutes & Centres > Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Publisher:	Cell Press
ISSN:	0169-5347
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 November 2025
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2025 11:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182124

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