Application of mathematical methods to the study of familial aggregation in endemic nephropathy. I. The hypothesis of infectious etiology.

Among many etiological factors, infection and the genetic factor are the main two causes which could explain the familial aggregation of endemic nephropathy (EN). The data collected over all the EN cases during 1957--1976 in the endemic village Bistriţa have been analysed for time-space clustering and a particular type of spatial clustering (within household) by the Knox's space-time interaction test and Walter's pair statistic test. The lack of clustering could be interpreted as suggesting the lack of infection (human transmission pattern) in the occurrence of endemic nephropathy.