Aspro. Anne Von Gottberg

Anne Von Gottberg is a leading South African medical microbiologist and infectious diseases epidemiologist affiliated with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work centers on laboratory-based surveillance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, with a strong emphasis on translating microbiological data into public health action and policy guidance.

Her publications highlight major contributions to understanding the long-term impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines through national and global surveillance initiatives, including the PSERENADE project. This research clarifies serotype replacement dynamics, indirect protection across age groups, and the expected benefits of higher-valency vaccines. Complementary studies on Group B Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and neonatal bloodstream infections demonstrate expertise in molecular epidemiology, genomic characterization, and resistance profiling.

Recent work also addresses influenza cohort platforms, SARS-CoV-2 reinfection modeling, and the strategic importance of microbiology reference laboratories. Across these themes, strengths include integration of advanced laboratory methods with epidemiological modeling, leadership in multicountry collaborations, and sustained contributions to evidence that informs immunization strategies and infectious disease control in Africa and globally.