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On the question of proportionality of the count of observed Scrapie cases and the size of holding

On the question of proportionality of the count of observed Scrapie cases and the size of holding
On the question of proportionality of the count of observed Scrapie cases and the size of holding
Background
The present paper investigates the question of a suitable basic model for the number of scrapie cases in a holding and applications of this knowledge to the estimation of scrapie-affected holding population sizes and adequacy of control measures within holding. Is the number of scrapie cases proportional to the size of the holding in which case it should be incorporated into the parameter of the error distribution for the scrapie counts? Or, is there a different – potentially more complex – relationship between case count and holding size in which case the information about the size of the holding should be better incorporated as a covariate in the modeling?

Methods
We show that this question can be appropriately addressed via a simple zero-truncated Poisson model in which the hypothesis of proportionality enters as a special offset-model. Model comparisons can be achieved by means of likelihood ratio testing. The procedure is illustrated by means of surveillance data on classical scrapie in Great Britain. Furthermore, the model with the best fit is used to estimate the size of the scrapie-affected holding population in Great Britain by means of two capture-recapture estimators: the Poisson estimator and the generalized Zelterman estimator.

Results
No evidence could be found for the hypothesis of proportionality. In fact, there is some evidence that this relationship follows a curved line which increases for small holdings up to a maximum after which it declines again. Furthermore, it is pointed out how crucial the correct model choice is when applied to capture-recapture estimation on the basis of zero-truncated Poisson models as well as on the basis of the generalized Zelterman estimator. Estimators based on the proportionality model return very different and unreasonable estimates for the population sizes.

Conclusion
Our results stress the importance of an adequate modelling approach to the association between holding size and the number of cases of classical scrapie within holding. Reporting artefacts and speculative biological effects are hypothesized as the underlying causes of the observed curved relationship. The lack of adjustment for these artefacts might well render ineffective the current strategies for the control of the disease.

1746-6148
Del Rio Vilas, Victor Javier
c439650f-6c9d-42c1-80a2-2fa570de525f
Böhning, Dankmar
1df635d4-e3dc-44d0-b61d-5fd11f6434e1
Del Rio Vilas, Victor Javier
c439650f-6c9d-42c1-80a2-2fa570de525f
Böhning, Dankmar
1df635d4-e3dc-44d0-b61d-5fd11f6434e1

Del Rio Vilas, Victor Javier and Böhning, Dankmar (2009) On the question of proportionality of the count of observed Scrapie cases and the size of holding. BMC Veterinary Research, 5 (17). (doi:10.1186/1746-6148-5-17).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background
The present paper investigates the question of a suitable basic model for the number of scrapie cases in a holding and applications of this knowledge to the estimation of scrapie-affected holding population sizes and adequacy of control measures within holding. Is the number of scrapie cases proportional to the size of the holding in which case it should be incorporated into the parameter of the error distribution for the scrapie counts? Or, is there a different – potentially more complex – relationship between case count and holding size in which case the information about the size of the holding should be better incorporated as a covariate in the modeling?

Methods
We show that this question can be appropriately addressed via a simple zero-truncated Poisson model in which the hypothesis of proportionality enters as a special offset-model. Model comparisons can be achieved by means of likelihood ratio testing. The procedure is illustrated by means of surveillance data on classical scrapie in Great Britain. Furthermore, the model with the best fit is used to estimate the size of the scrapie-affected holding population in Great Britain by means of two capture-recapture estimators: the Poisson estimator and the generalized Zelterman estimator.

Results
No evidence could be found for the hypothesis of proportionality. In fact, there is some evidence that this relationship follows a curved line which increases for small holdings up to a maximum after which it declines again. Furthermore, it is pointed out how crucial the correct model choice is when applied to capture-recapture estimation on the basis of zero-truncated Poisson models as well as on the basis of the generalized Zelterman estimator. Estimators based on the proportionality model return very different and unreasonable estimates for the population sizes.

Conclusion
Our results stress the importance of an adequate modelling approach to the association between holding size and the number of cases of classical scrapie within holding. Reporting artefacts and speculative biological effects are hypothesized as the underlying causes of the observed curved relationship. The lack of adjustment for these artefacts might well render ineffective the current strategies for the control of the disease.

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Published date: 2009
Organisations: Statistics, Statistical Sciences Research Institute

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 210561
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/210561
ISSN: 1746-6148
PURE UUID: ae2a2799-53d7-4a33-9002-9990e72bd7b7
ORCID for Dankmar Böhning: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0638-7106

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Date deposited: 09 Feb 2012 15:00
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:39

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Author: Victor Javier Del Rio Vilas

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