Influence of diagnostic tests for estimating prevalence during surveillance programs
Fuchs, K.; Deutz, A.; Köfer, J.; Wagner, P.
Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 113(9): 348-351
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0005-9366 PMID: 11042948 Document Number: 516499
The influence of diagnostic tests on the estimation of the prevalence and the calculation of sample sizes with respect to different sampling schemes are presented in this paper. These sampling schemes are used for the implementation of surveillance programs. Assuming "perfect tests" (i.e. sensitivity = specificity = 100%) the calculated sample sizes, e.g. for an IBR/IPV-surveillance or a paratuberculosis survey, are half of the sample sizes considering sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests. However the probability not to identify infected livestocks may be 4 times higher neglecting the test characteristics and assuming perfect tests.