By introducing the estimated prevalence as one of the terms in the
likelihood equation, a prevalence estimate is also produced with the
MLE method. The estimated prevalence pest will be higher than the
observed prevalence (pobs) since a higher number of samples are
considered to be positive due to the addition of a part of the results
below the LoD. A similar method has previously been used in the
EFSA Scientific Opinion on Campylobacter in broiler meat production
(EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), 2011). The MLE method
was performed with the Solver Add-in for Excel 2010.