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Estimation of parasitic infection dynamics when detectability is imperfect
Author(s) -
Nagelkerke Nico J. D.,
Chunge Ruth N.,
Kinoti Stephen N.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
statistics in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.996
H-Index - 183
eISSN - 1097-0258
pISSN - 0277-6715
DOI - 10.1002/sim.4780091010
Subject(s) - estimation , statistics , maximum likelihood , parasitic infection , estimation theory , constant (computer programming) , giardia lamblia , mathematics , econometrics , computer science , biology , immunology , programming language , management , economics , genetics
The simultaneous estimation of infection rate, cure rate and detectability of parasitic infections is considered. A new method for this estimation based on a simple statistical model assuming constant transition rates between parasite states is proposed. Repeated observations on the infection status of the same individuals is required for this method. A maximum likelihood approach is used for parameter estimation and the calculation of standard errors of the estimates. The method is illustrated by a longitudinal study of the presence of Giardia lamblia infection in Kenyan children.