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The nodule-forming process of Onchocerca volvulus
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By a stochastic process we have described how female O. volvulus
aggregate into onchocercomata.
This model can be used for estimating the probability with which
a female larvae (L4) forms a new nodule or immigrates into an already existing one.
An estimation performed on
nodulectomy data
shows that a female L4
rather immigrates into an existing nodule than forms a new one.
A biological explanation for this phenomenon is not yet known and poses
the question if the female parasite attains advantage of this aggregation behaviour.
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Figure: Number of nodules (y-axis) which have been formed by female
O. volvulus isolated from the nodules subsequent to surgery (nodulectomy).
The solid line results from the probability (40%) that a developing larva 4 (L4)
forms a new nodule (instead of immigrating into an existing one
at a probability 60%).
The dashed lines represent the region of tolerance
spanning 95% of the observations.
(Source: Duerr et al., 2001)
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Responsible for this page:
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Dr. H.-P. Duerr
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Webmaster:
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Prof. Dr. M. Eichner
(last change of this page on
13 July 2009)
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Cooperation with:
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Prof. K. Dietz, Institut für Medizinische Biometrie (IMB), Tübingen
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Prof. M. Eichner
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Further project partners:
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Prof. H. Schulz-Key |
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Financial support by:
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Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, DI 308/12-1)
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Disclaimer:
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Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen,
Tübingen University Hospital,
the Department for Medical Biometry (IMB),
and the authors of this page disclaim all liability for the content of any page referenced by hyper-link from this page
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