Inferring Within-Host Bottleneck Size: A Bayesian Approach

Abstract

A number of approaches exist for bottleneck-size estimation with respect to within-host bacterial infections; however, some are more appropriate than others under certain circumstances. A Bayesian comparison of several approaches is made in terms of the availability of isogenic multitype bacteria (e.g., WITS), knowledge of post-bottleneck dynamics, and the suitability of dilution with monotype bacteria. The results are summarised by a guiding flowchart.\n\nA sampling approach to bottleneck-size estimation is also introduced.