The basic reproductive number and particle-to-plaque ratio: comparison of these two parameters of viral infectivity

Abstract

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has brought more widespread attention to the basic reproductive number (Ro), an epidemiologic measurement. A lesser-known measure of virologic infectivity is the particle-to-plaque ratio (P:PFU). We suggest that comparison between the two parameters may assist in better understanding viral transmission dynamics.

Keywords

• Basic reproductive number
• Particle-to-plaque
• Particle-to-pfu
• COVID-19
• Viral transmission