Available online 30 October 2023, 100724

We systematically review the literature on multiscale infectious disease modelling.

We divide previously published models into five methodological categories.

We explain the benefits and limitations of each category.

We provide a primer on developing multiscale models of infectious diseases.

Mathematical modellers model infectious disease dynamics at different scales. Within-host models represent the spread of pathogens inside an individual, whilst between-host models track transmission between individuals. However, pathogen dynamics at one scale affect those at another. This has led to the development of multiscale models that connect within-host and between-host dynamics. In this article, we systematically review the literature on multiscale infectious disease modelling according to PRISMA guidelines, dividing previously published models into five categories governing their methodological approaches (Garira (2017)), explaining their benefits and limitations. We provide a primer on developing multiscale models of infectious diseases.

Within-host

Between-host

Multiscale

Infectious diseases

© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.