Estimation of the relative sensitivity of qPCR analysis using pooled samples.
The high sensitivity of qPCR makes it a desirable diagnostic method in epidemiological surveillance programs. However, due to high costs, the use of pooling has been suggested. In this paper, an algorithm based on the Montecarlo method has been designed and implemented. The algorithm had been tested in many different situations, and finally it was validated with a real dataset. Moreover, based on the results obtained and depending on pooling conditions, a drastic decrease of sensitivity is observed.
Department of Animal Pathology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Ana
A
Muniesa
Department of Applied Mathematics, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Chelo
C
Ferreira
Department of Animal Pathology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Héctor
H
Fuertes
Department of Animal Pathology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Nabil
N
Halaihel
Department of Animal Pathology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Ignacio
I
de Blas
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity