Use of serological surveys to generate key insights into the changing global landscape of infectious disease

The proportion of individuals protected against a specific pathogen determines the timing and scale of outbreaks, and the pace of evolution for infections that can evade prevailing humoral immunity. Serological surveys provide the most direct measurement to define the immunity landscape for many infectious diseases, yet this methodology remains underexploited. To address this gap, we propose a World Serology Bank and associated major methodological developments in serological testing, study design, and quantitative analysis, which could drive a step change in our understanding and optimum control of infectious diseases.