Abstract
AbstractWe are developing a set of ontologies that deal with vector-borne diseases and the arthropod vectors that transmit them. For practical reasons (application priorities), we initiated this project with an ontology of insecticide resistance followed by a series of ontologies that describe malaria as well as physiological processes of mosquitoes that are relevant to, and involved in, disease transmission. These will be expanded to encompass other vector-borne diseases as well as non-mosquito vectors. The aim of the whole undertaking, which is worked out in the frame of the international IDO (Infectious Disease Ontology) project, is to provide the community with a set of ontological tools that can be used both in the development of specific databases and, most importantly, in the construction of decision support systems to control these diseases.
Highlights
Epidemiologists have brought together in one “functional “group a series of diseases of different etiology and pathogenesis that share one key component: their mode of transmission
The ultimate end is to build a comprehensive ontology for insectborne diseases that may consist of sub-ontologies, each addressing a specific aspect of the whole
In the frame of the Infectious Disease Ontology project, we initiated this effort focusing on malaria, but we are already expanding this to encompass the other diseases of this class as well
Summary
Epidemiologists have brought together in one “functional “group a series of diseases of different etiology and pathogenesis that share one key component: their mode of transmission (see Goddard, 19991 and several chapters of Marquardt, 20052 for specific questions addressing insect-borne diseases and their vectors). Our group has embarked on a long project that involves the development of ontologies dealing with disease vectors and vector-born diseases[18,19].
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