Multiplex Bead Assay for Integrated Serological Surveillance of Communicable Diseases in the Region of the Americas. Report of the third regional meeting (Cuernavaca, 4-5 March 2020)

Abstract

In 2016, the Pan American Health Organization, in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, began a collaborative effort with delegates from Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay aimed at transferring technical capacity for integrated serological surveillance of population immunity and transmission of multiple infectious diseases, using the multiplex bead assay (MBA) platform. MBA makes it possible to analyze the antibodies of up to 96 antigens of various pathogens in a single dried-spot blood sample. Serological surveillance is being increasingly used for its ability to generate information that helps characterize disease transmission and monitor the impact of interventions such as vaccination, and to identify susceptible populations. This initiative has served as a learning process based on interprogrammatic work to develop integrated serological surveillance of various diseases and events that are often addressed separately from a programmatic standpoint, but which in reality overlap in the same population groups and geographical areas. This document presents the results of the third regional meeting, held in the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico, on 4-5 March 2020, and attended by delegates from the participating countries, partners, and stakeholders. This publication highlights the lessons learned during the first stage of capacity transfer, and discusses opportunities and next steps to expand integrated serological surveillance in the Region of the Americas as a tool for strengthening surveillance of communicable diseases.