title: Estimating the basic reproductive rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis: the implications of acquired immunity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The basic reproductive rate of and STD is an important parameter from which the success of intervention strategies can be predicted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate different methods to estimate the basic reproductive rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two different methods of estimating the basic reproductive rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis yielded discrepant results. One of the methods, which is based on the assumption of the absence of acquired immunity, yielded unrealistically low estimates of the basic reproductive rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conjunction with other epidemiologic evidence, we infer that some form of acquired immunity to these pathogens must exist and discuss its implication for control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brunham
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Nagelkerke
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moses
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015995:Prevalence; D012747:Sexual Partners