Utility of obtaining descriptors prior to ecopathological studies

Ecopathology is a method of analyzing states of health in the context of the conditions under which a disorder is present or absent. Complex, multifactorial diseases are of most concern in ecopathological investigations. Factors include, but are not confined to, the role of infectious agents. The method emphasizes the development of profiles of combinations of variables found to be characteristic of groups of individuals of farms in different relative health states. A wide, exhaustive data set may appear necessary, but the final protocols for large field surveys must be concise, suitable and manageable. Consequently, prior to large-scale ecopathological inquiries, preliminary work is required to set up adequate epidemiological indicators that describe pertinent objects or facts. These indicators, called descriptors, must meet certain requirements. They must provide objective and accurate data that can be standardized. Moreover, they must be relevant and available. These points are discussed.