Enteric Pathogen Force of Infection among Children using Serology

Conduct a longitudinal birth cohort in Ecuador, enrolling 600 children from three sites across a rural-urban gradient, and measure them frequently from birth to 24 months. Pair multiplex PCR assessment for 15 enteric pathogens with IgG and IgA assessment in a multiplex bead assay for 7 enteric pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, and norovirus) on the Luminex platform. Aim 1: Use molecular and antibody-based measures to study force of infection across a rural-urban gradient. Aim 2: Estimate enteric pathogen force of infection by applying current-status models to population-based, cross-sectional serology surveys and benchmark against the concurrent longitudinal study. Aim 3: Study IgG and IgA kinetics following infection for each of the 7 pathogens and develop models to accurately predict recent infections and incidence from antibody levels.