Population Biology of Infectious Disease

Evolutionary genetics & molecular epidemiology
Often in collaboration with investigators at other Emory departments or other universities, we do theoretical (mathematical and computer simulation modeling) studies of the epidemiology of antimicrobial chemotherapy and the evolution and consequence of resistance to these agents. The projects we are currently doing in this area include; studies of the epidemiology of antibiotic treatment and resistance in hospitals and open communities, and (ii) the epidemiology of prophylaxis, treatment and antiviral resistance in the control of pandemic influenza.

Recent publications:

• Levin_1
• Levin_2
• Levin_3

Within-host dynamics
Our studies of the within host dynamics of infections are almost exclusively (never completely) experimental. Our current project in this area is with Haemophilus influenae and neonatal rats. Our goal is to ascertain why this and by extension other normally commensal bacteria, like meningococcus and pneumococcus which colonize large numbers of humans cause disease in a small fraction of colonized hosts.

Recent publications:

• Levin_4
• Levin_5

Evolution of drug resistance
Often in collaboration with investigators at other departments or universities, we do theoretical (mathematical and computer simulation modeling) studies of the epidemiology of antimicrobial chemotherapy and the evolution and consequence of resistance to these agents. The projects we are currently doing in this area include; studies of the epidemiology of antibiotic treatment and resistance in hospitals and open communities, and the epidemiology of prophylaxis, treatment and antiviral resistance in the control of pandemic influenza.

Recent publications:

• Levin_1
• Levin_2
• Levin_3