[Computer-assisted findings on protein electrophoresis on cellulose acetate film]

Until a short time ago efficient computer assisted reporting of electrophoretograms was not possible owing to the lack of appropriate technology. By integrating a fully mechanized electrophoresis system into the laboratory data processing system of a centralized institute of clinical chemistry, the separation and the interpretation of results can be performed for 300 samples per day. The interpretation is based upon available patient data (specified clinical diagnoses, previous results), calculated fractions and analysis of the electrophoretic curve in the area of albumin and the beta- and gamma-globulin fraction. In this way it is possible to classify hereditary bisalbuminaemias and to detect transient bisalbuminaemias and monoclonal gammopathies. Diagnostic indications of specific dysproteinaemias and defect proteinaemias are printed on the report form if individual serum protein fractions and the total protein content are changed specifically. The results of the different electrophoretic fractions, the total protein and a set of possible alterations of the curve are numerically coded according to the scaled biochemical ranges in five definite sections or to a decision matrix (alteration 'given' or 'not given'), respectively. The composed 'result patterns' are matched with preassigned 'reference patterns' stored in the computer file. The procedure is efficient and adaptable to other areas of analysis.