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MVTD An experimental design encountered in vector-borne disease transmission
research involves moving s > 1 insect vectors (perhaps aphids, whitefly,
or planthoppers) from an infected source to each of n uninfected test
(host) plants. Each of the host plants is then observed for developing
symptoms of infection. In plant pathology, such designs are called
multiple-vector transfers. In the statistical literature, such transfers
are known as an application of group testing. Even though vectors are
tested in groups of size s, the goal is still to estimate p, the
probability of disease transmission for an individual vector. The use of a
single-vector transfer (s = 1) is usually not possible due to limitations
in the number of host plants, greenhouse space, screened cages, or some other
factor. In fact, when dealing with low-prevalence diseases, the use of
group testing in vector-transfer experiments can make otherwise impossible
experiments feasible (Swallow, 1985; Tebbs and Swallow, 2003).
Examples of insect vectors:
Brown planthopper |
Whitebacked planthopper |
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Example greenhouse where an experiment takes place:
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