From preliminary data to robust design: sample estimation for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and other prevalence studies

Accurate sample size estimation is essential in prevalence studies to ensure statistically valid conclusions and efficient resource allocation. This technical note presents an approach for estimating sample size in prevalence studies of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in equines. A preliminary PCR-based s...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Araúz, Anayansi, Santana Bolívar, Ángel, Morales Allard, Joel Alexis, De Sedas Muñoz, Abraham, Añino Ramos, Yostin Jesús, Agrazal, Karla Jeanneette, Romero, Emilio
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Universidad Nacional del Nordeste 2026
Materias:
Prevalence studies
Precision
Sample size
ScalaR
estudios de prevalencia
precisión
tamaño de muestra
Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unne.edu.ar/index.php/vet/article/view/9106
Aporte de:
Revistas UNNE - Universidad Nacional del Noroeste (UNNE) de Universidad Nacional del Nordeste
Descripción
Sumario:Accurate sample size estimation is essential in prevalence studies to ensure statistically valid conclusions and efficient resource allocation. This technical note presents an approach for estimating sample size in prevalence studies of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in equines. A preliminary PCR-based survey in Panama detected one positive case among 36 animals (2.78%). Based on these results, expected prevalences of 2%, 3%, 8%, and 9% were used to model future sample sizes using the ScalaR function in R, incorporating absolute precisions (± 0.75%, ± 1.5%, ± 2%) and a 10% adjustment for potential data loss. The estimated sample sizes ranged from 233 (2% prevalence, ± 1.9%) to 6,216 animals (9% prevalence, ± 0.75%). These findings illustrate how minor variations in assumed prevalence or desired precision can substantially influence the sample size required for reliable epidemiological surveillance.

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