One year's experience with two different image analysis systems for automated reading of the contrast fluorescence...

We have tested two different personal-computer-based color image analysis systems for automated reading of the microlymphocytotoxicity test (LCT) for HLA-A,B,C typing and screening. Over 17,000 single LCT reactions were prepared using the simultaneous double fluorescent variant of the LCT (contrast fluorescence test, CFT). All tests were read visually by experienced laboratory staff members. For digital image analysis, an automated scanning system was used. The reactions were first recorded on a videotape recorder using a color (CCD) videocamera und subsequently analyzed with the two different image analysis systems by specifically developed programs. Good correlation (r = 0.89) of the score values assigned by digital image analysis with the visual tray reading was obtained. Since also the other main performance characteristics of the prototype system were acceptable for routine application, we may conclude that digital image analysis is a feasible and very interesting new technique for automated evaluation of the LCT.