Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Selecting Multiple Biomarker Subsets with Similarly Effective Binary Classification Performances
Published on: October 11, 2018
The BeLPT: algorithms and implications
D C Middleton1, M D Lewin, P J Kowalski
1Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta, Georgia. dcm2@cdc.gov
Background:
The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is used to identify persons with beryllium sensitization. The variability of laboratory results and lack of a "gold standard" have led to questions about the test's performance. Fortunately, a recently published study has credibly estimated standard epidemiologic parameters for the BeLPT.
Methods:
Information from this recent study was used to assess the performance of two common algorithms for BeLPT testing. Standard epidemiologic parameters were determined for two common algorithms and then compared.
Results:
One of the two algorithms was more sensitive than the other (86% vs. 66%). The specificity of both algorithms (99.8% or greater) was high. At an estimated 2% prevalence, the positive predictive value of both algorithms for beryllium sensitization remained high (90% or higher).
Conclusions:
A priori characterization of the testing algorithm under consideration can enhance public health decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Bonferroni Test
The means of different samples are first paired in all possible combinations.
The null hypothesis of the...
01:29Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Algorithms for Numerical Problem Solving
In individual population analyses, different algorithms are employed, such as Cauchy's method, which uses a...
01:12Trial and Error and Algorithm
01:28Methods of Medium Optimization